2018 L'Ecole No 41 Ferguson Vineyard
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Tasting notes
It’s hard to put the glass down, as the 2018 Red Wine Estate Ferguson Vineyard tantalizes with a perfumed mix of sugar-dusted blackberries, crushed rocks, violets, lavender and a hint of mint. While seamlessly silky and elegant to the core, it possesses brilliant acidity that enlivens its ripe red fruit and black currant, coating the palate in primary richness. This tapers off cool-toned and structured, yet its tannins are silky-smooth, lending it a surprisingly early appeal to this otherwise long-distance runner. Without a doubt, the 2018 is one of the most balanced, lively and aromatic wine of the Ferguson Vineyard that I’ve yet to taste. It’s a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec and Petit Verdot that’s refined for 22 months in barriques, 50% of which are new. Bury a few in the cellar, and reap the rewards.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot. This is the first vintage in which Petite Verdot was available. Notes of dark chocolate, plum blossom and dried red cherry on the nose carry into the palate, alongside firm tannin that will no doubt become more supple with time in bottle. The palate is well balanced with lengthy acidity, though the fine-grained tannin currently feels a bit more dominant. As a result, the wine can benefit from being decanted. Candied plum, tobacco leaf and graphite carry through a lengthy finish. The Petit Verdot fills in another layer of density and depth on the wine, bringing a brooding character with structure and freshness. (ECB)
Composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Ferguson Vineyard starts with a gorgeous nose of elegant oak, fresh and ripe fruit tones and resinous purple flowers. Full-bodied, the blend displays immaculate balance, possessing both power and precision as flavors of spiced cherry compote, black plum skin and redcurrant sway with seductive tones of vanilla, cinnamon and nuances of cardamom madeleines. The wonderfully structured mid-palate displays firm tannins that will loosen in time, before concluding with a long-lingering and ever-evolving finish. The wine rested 22 months in French oak, 50% new. It's superb, and the best thing to do is to put it in the cellar and forget about it for a few years until it's found its stride. Bravo, I think I might finish the glass. 16,500 bottles were produced.
Notes of blackberries, blueberries and spices on the nose. Itâs full-bodied with chewy tannins. Structured, with a lot of wood and a juicy character on the center-palate. Mineral and racy. Flavorful finish. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot, 11% cabernet franc, 5% malbec and 5% petit verdot. Drink in 2024.