2019 Semillon Steelwater Creek Vineyard comes from L’Ecole Winery, one of the first Walla Walla wineries with four decades of winemaking history in the Valley.
2019 L’Ecole Semillon
In the Bottle
The grapes for L’Ecole Semillon came from Stillwater Creek, Klipsun, Lodmell, Rosebud, and Seven Hills vineyards of Columbia Valley of Washington.
Semillon, the Bordeaux classic varietal, is not common in the United States, yet it’s found a new home in Washington, thanks to the pioneering spirit of its winemakers.
Semillon here expresses richness and complexity in the distinctive soils of Eastern Washington State rarely found elsewhere. The cool nights during the growing season and harvest period help to ensure crisp natural acidity and expressive aromatics.
An overall mild growing season characterized by temperature swings and a somewhat challenging harvest resulted in a high-quality vintage. A cold, snowy February stretched into March, delaying bud-break until late April to early May. Yet, a warmer May accelerated canopy growth and the onset of bloom. Cooler July temperatures delayed veraison (berry ripening) by one to two weeks, but seasonably warm August with a few heat spikes stretched into September, catching up with a typical harvest timeframe.
Harvest had its own set of challenges. Rainy cooler conditions, a light frost at the end of September, and a forecast of more freezing weather put pressure on the harvesting crew to speed up the picking just in time for the wintry weather in the second week of October.
In the Glass
2019 Semillon starts with pronounced aromatics of white tulip, melon, and green almonds with a touch of limestone. A lively profile with viscous oil-like texture, carried by a mouthwatering vibrancy with flavors of white nectarine, ripe lemon, yellow apple, and fresh butter notes. The finish is refreshing and succulent.
Pairing with Food
We paired 2019 L’ecole Semillon with Rabbit Stew in Sour Cream sauce. The flavorful profile complemented the gamey character of the rabbit, and refreshing acidity cut through the richness of the sauce.
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