2016 l'Ecole No. 41 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee Red Blend Walla Walla Valley Washington 750 ml

Stack the 95-point Apogee against a lineup of heavy hitting reds from Bordeaux, Napa, and Australia, and the only difference you’ll find is there’s enough cash left in your pocket for a second bottle—an ideal scenario, since this “nuanced” and “layered” red inspires sip after spice-tinged sip. 

World-class quality is what we’ve come to expect from L’Ecole No. 41, a pioneering and iconic Washington State winery with 15 appearances on Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries list—more than Joseph Phelps, Henschke, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The 2016 Apogee proves why, delivering a dramatic performance at half the cost of its worldly peers. For lovers of bold reds, this is a cause for celebration and cellar stuffing. As Jeb Dunnuck wrote, “It's a brilliant wine that will see its 20th birthday in fine form.”

Longevity is a hallmark of the single-vineyard Apogee, grown on the terraced remnants of ice-age flood silts, combining 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Merlot, 11% Malbec, and 4% Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux-style fashion. Like its pricier counterparts across the Atlantic, the Apogee boasts tremendous aging potential as well as enviable restraint and elegance, while outshining Old World offerings with its vibrant core of fresh fruit. 

As winemaker Marcus Rafanelli told us, “In a vintage like 2016, which was as easy as it gets in Washington, the wines develop beautiful bright fruit, particularly at Pepper Bridge.” 

As he explained, a temperate growing season came together at harvest in a stunning grand finale, as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc ripened with rare synchronicity. This allowed vineyard manager Tom Waliser and his team to hand-pick every last berry within a ten-day stretch beginning on September 29th and ending on October 7th. 

The seamlessness of such a rare viticultural event is plain as day in the glass, as are the lightning strikes of fresh red and black fruit. In a glowing follow-up to Dunnuck’s 95-point review, James Suckling called the wine “totally distinctive” and “really exciting.” The palate more than confirms this impression with a stunning balance of freshness, vibrant fruit and focused power, through the long, sleek and complex finish.” Not to be left out of the party, Wine & Spirits rounded out the effusive depictions noting complexities from, “Mexican chocolate, spiced mocha and tobacco leaf.” 

With liveliness and charisma that won’t soon fade, the 2016 Apogee demonstrates why L’Ecole No. 41 has been and continues to be a benchmark for Washington’s greatest wines. For over 30 years, owner Marty Clubb has pushed the envelope on quality, earning countless spots on Top 100 lists from Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator. 

Despite all the acclaim as well as a surge in prices of other top-tier wines from Washington counterparts Leonetti and Cayuse, L’Ecole No. 41’s portfolio continues to deliver unparalleled value in addition to pedigree. The 2016 Apogee is a must-have for savvy buyers and quality connoisseurs alike. No cellar is complete without it.