L'Ecole No 41 is indisputably best known for Merlot — our principle red variety since 1983! Fermentation control is carried out in a traditional Bordeaux style, with small lot fermentations punched down by hand for optimal color and flavor extraction. When the fermentation is completed, the must is gravity fed into the press. The wine is gently racked into a combination of new and older French and American oak barrels and aged for 18 months. With rich black cherry and berry fruit flavors in balance with the tannins, we traditionally bottle this wine unfined and unfiltered. We produce two merlots: Columbia Valley Merlot (first vintage 1983) and Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot (first vintage 1993). Walla Walla Valley Merlot (first vintage 1998, last vintage 2001).