Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Sandalwood, wild blueberries, cranberries, cloves, cocoa and sage on the nose, followed by a polished, firm and full-bodied palate that has both depth and excellent freshness. I like the dried-herb undertones. Tight and polished. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot, 14% cabernet franc, 6% malbec and 5% petit verdot. Try from 2028.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Proving the sum is often greater than the parts, the 2022 Estate Ferguson Vineyard blends 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot into a cohesive whole that's plush, high-toned, and lengthy on the midpalate. Full-bodied, with bright underpinnings of acidity, the minerally touches of stone and gravel push it to even higher heights, the wine worth aging a solid 12-15 years.
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Vinous
The 2022 Red Wine Estate Ferguson Vineyard takes its time in the glass as hints of autumnal spice, dried rose tones, graphite and black cherries combine. It sweeps across the palate, silken yet lifted and fresh, with crisp mineral tones and polished red berry fruits that slowly saturate. Edgy tannins mingle with a chalky sensation under an air of sweet lavender. The 2022 finishes with exceptional length yet also poise. The Ferguson will both require and reward patience.
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Decanter
From the Ferguson Vineyard is L’Ecole’s most esteemed site, perched above the Walla Walla Valley on the Oregon side, positioned well over 1,000 feet of elevation, largely planted in the late 2000s. The aromas are a wonderful blend of savoury herbs and bright berry fruits, blackberries, mint and dried rose petals. The palate is dense, with black tea and mocha notes to the fore; ample black plum and an exotic melange of Moroccan spice, finishing with sweet dark chocolate. So much structure, this wine will benefit from cellaring.
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Wine Enthusiast
A classic blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, the Ferguson is a wine to grow older with. An earthy blackberry tea aroma is joined by bursts of boysenberries and jasmine. The wine's juicy acidity and muscular, grippy tannins support its black cherry, wet stone, bergamot and toasted marshmallow flavors. Enjoy now until 2038.
Cellar Selection
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Responsible for some of Washington’s most highly acclaimed wines, the Walla Walla Valley has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years and is home to both historic wineries and younger, up-and-coming producers.
The Walla Walla Valley, a Native American name meaning “many waters,” is located in southeastern Washington; part of the appellation actually extends into Oregon. Soils here are well-drained, sandy loess over Missoula Flood deposits and fractured basalt.
It is a region perfectly suited to Rhône-inspired Syrahs, distinguished by savory notes of red berry, black olive, smoke and fresh earth. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot create a range of styles from smooth and supple to robust and well-structured. White varieties are rare but some producers blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon, resulting in a rich and round style, and plantings of Viognier, while minimal, are often quite successful.
Of note within Walla Walla, is one new and very peculiar appellation, called the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. This is the only AVA in the U.S. whose boundaries are totally defined by the soil type. Soils here look a bit like those in the acclaimed Rhône region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but are large, ancient, basalt cobblestones. These stones work in the same way as they do in Chateauneuf, absorbing and then radiating the sun's heat up to enhance the ripening of grape clusters. The Rocks District is within the part of Walla Walla that spills over into Oregon and naturally excels in the production of Rhône varieties like Syrah, as well as the Bordeaux varieties.