Vintage: 2023
Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA, Washington State
Vineyards: Upland Vineyard (54%), Willard Farms (46%)
Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
Residual Sugar: 0.5% (5 g/L) - Off-dry
Total Acidity: 6.8 g/L
pH: 3.18
Harvest Date: September 15-27, 2023
Fermentation: Stainless steel
Bottling Date: February 2024
Release Date: April 2024
Closure: Screwcap
Production: 3,780 cases
Aging Potential: 2-4 years
Vine Age: 40+ years (Upland), 45+ years (Willard)
Sourced from two of Washington's oldest Chenin Blanc vineyards: Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain (planted 1979) and Willard Farms in the Yakima Valley (planted 1978). These old vines naturally produce lower yields with exceptional concentration and complexity. Both vineyards feature well-draining soils: Upland with its unique gravelly loess over ancient riverbed, and Willard with its sandy silt loam. The 2023 growing season in Washington began with a mild spring followed by a warm but not extreme summer, allowing for gradual ripening and excellent flavor development while maintaining bright natural acidity. Cool nights in September helped preserve the variety's characteristic freshness and aromatic intensity.
Hand-harvested in the cool morning hours, the grapes were whole-cluster pressed to minimize phenolic extraction. After cold settling, the juice was racked off gross lees and fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures (55-58°F) to preserve delicate aromatics. Fermentation was halted with a small amount of residual sugar (0.5%) to balance the wine's naturally high acidity and enhance its mouthfeel. The wine was aged sur lie for four months with periodic stirring to develop additional complexity and texture without compromising freshness. The final blend was assembled in January 2024 and bottled in February.
Appearance: Bright, crystalline pale straw with silver-green highlights.
Nose: Intensely aromatic with vibrant notes of white peach, Honeycrisp apple, and Meyer lemon, complemented by honeysuckle, orange blossom, and fresh-cut hay. Subtle hints of wet stone minerality and chamomile add layers of complexity that evolve in the glass.
Palate: Medium-bodied with a lively, energetic entry featuring crisp green apple, white nectarine, and citrus zest. The mid-palate shows remarkable depth with notes of quince, pear skin, and a distinctive honey character balanced perfectly by refreshing acidity. The touch of residual sugar is barely perceptible, serving only to round out the mouthfeel and balance the wine's natural vibrancy. The finish is long and focused with lingering mineral notes and a return of citrus freshness.
This versatile Chenin Blanc pairs beautifully with a wide range of cuisines. Try with seafood dishes such as ceviche, oysters, or grilled halibut with citrus. Excellent with spicier Asian cuisines including Thai and Vietnamese, where the slight sweetness balances heat. Also pairs wonderfully with goat cheese, light poultry dishes, and summer salads featuring stone fruits. For a classic pairing, try with rich pork dishes where the wine's acidity provides a perfect counterpoint.
Founded in 1983 in the historic Frenchtown School building in Walla Walla Valley, L'Ecole No. 41 is one of Washington's most distinguished family-owned wineries. Under the direction of Marty Clubb and his team, L'Ecole has been a champion for Chenin Blanc for nearly four decades, preserving these old vines when many were being replaced with more fashionable varieties. Their commitment to showcasing Washington's diverse terroir and producing wines of exceptional quality has earned them recognition as a "Top 100 Winery" by Wine & Spirits Magazine 15 times. L'Ecole's Chenin Blanc represents one of the finest expressions of this versatile grape in the Pacific Northwest.
Serve chilled but not too cold, between 45-50°F (7-10°C). The wine will reveal more complexity as it warms slightly in the glass. While delightful upon release, this Chenin Blanc will continue to develop interesting honeyed notes for 2-4 years when properly stored.