PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Frenchtown Red is L’Ecole No. 41’s everyday red, named for Frenchtown, the first settlement in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley, founded by French Canadians in the early 1800s. By the 1860s a thriving grape-growing and winemaking community had been established in the valley, and this wine, in the winery’s words, “salutes these pioneers.” L’Ecole itself was founded in 1983 and is one of Washington State’s first artisan, family-owned wineries. It is housed in the historic Frenchtown School, which is depicted on the label.
The 2021 is a blend of 50% Merlot, 20% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Grenache, 3% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Mourvèdre, sourced from the Columbia Valley, with 6,350 cases made. That mix of Bordeaux and Rhône varieties is the signature: Merlot brings plushness, Syrah adds color and dark fruit, and Cabernet adds structure, with small amounts of the others for aromatic detail. The winemaker calls 2021 “an excellent Frenchtown vintage showing a bright, fresh fruit-forward profile of black cherry, blueberry, blackberry, and plum accented by violet floral notes,” with “wild berries, red cherry, black currant, and anise” on the nose and “generous, fresh fruit flavors” that “remain focused through an integrated finish.”
Ken’s Wine Guide scored it 89.5 Points, describing “a dark ruby colored blend” that “opens with a marionberry and craisin bouquet with hints of espresso and dried strawberry,” a “medium-bodied” palate with “medium acidity” and a “balanced, round and smooth” mouthfeel, “chalky minerality and mild dark cherry” with “gentle cedar and black licorice,” and “hints of nutmeg and black plum” toward the end. The reviewer suggested pairing it “with a juicy bacon burger.” Wine Enthusiast, reviewing a later vintage, described the blend as bringing “Bordeaux and the Rhône together” in “fresh and floral aromas” that are “an equally diverse mix of raspberries, blackberry tea, gardenias, lilacs and spun sugar.” It’s a flexible, well-priced Washington red that works with burgers, pizza, pasta, and roast chicken, and a good example of what Columbia Valley fruit can do at an everyday level.
L’Ecole No. 41 2021 Frenchtown Red is produced by L’Ecole No. 41, founded in 1983 in Lowden, in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley, housed in the historic Frenchtown School. The wine is a Columbia Valley blend of 50% Merlot, 20% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Grenache, 3% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Mourvèdre. 6,350 cases produced. Bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV, 750ml.
Ken’s Wine Guide — 89.5 Points (July 2023):
“This dark ruby colored blend opens with a marionberry and craisin bouquet with hints of espresso and dried strawberry. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round and smooth. The flavor profile a chalky minerality and mild dark cherry blend with notes of gentle cedar and black licorice. I also detected some hints of nutmeg and black plum towards the end.”
Wine Enthusiast (2023 vintage, house-style context):
“Frenchtown brings Bordeaux and the Rhône together in an eight-grape variety blend that ranges from Merlot to Mourvèdre. Its fresh and floral aromas are an equally diverse mix of raspberries, blackberry tea, gardenias, lilacs and spun sugar. The wine feels fresh and clean on the palate as tart black cherry and lemon zest flavors dance about.”
L’Ecole No. 41 (official winemaker’s notes, 2021):
“An excellent Frenchtown vintage showing a bright, fresh fruit-forward profile of black cherry, blueberry, blackberry, and plum accented by violet floral notes. Frenchtown shows aromas of wild berries, red cherry, black currant, and anise. The generous, fresh fruit flavors remain focused through an integrated finish.”
Nose
Dark ruby. Marionberry, wild berries, and red cherry lead, with black currant, violet, anise, espresso, and dried strawberry.
Palate
Medium-bodied, balanced, round, and smooth, with black cherry, blueberry, blackberry, and plum, with chalky minerality, cedar, and black licorice.
Finish
Focused and integrated, with nutmeg and black plum.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Columbia Valley, Washington |
| Blend | 50% Merlot · 20% Syrah · 17% Cabernet Sauvignon · 4% Grenache · 3% Malbec · 3% Cabernet Franc · 2% Petit Verdot · 1% Mourvèdre |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Producer | L’Ecole No. 41 — Walla Walla Valley (founded 1983) |
| Production | 6,350 cases |
| ABV | ~14.5% |
| Critics | Ken’s Wine Guide 89.5 |
| Style / Identity | A fresh, fruit-forward, eight-grape Washington red that blends Bordeaux and Rhône varieties |
| Aromas & Flavors | Black cherry, blueberry, blackberry, plum, violet, anise |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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