L'Ecole No. 41 'Perigee' Seven Hills Vineyard Red Blend 2022 - 750ml

96pts Jeb Dunnuck

From one of the state's top sites, the 2022 Perigee Estate Seven Hills Vineyard is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec, and 8% Petit Verdot. As with most of its vineyard-designated reds, it aged 22 months in small French oak barrels, in this case 40% new. Smooth, seductive red fruit dominates over a bright, weightless palate of pillowy tannins, the wine rich but refined and supremely balanced. The finish is long and elegant, suggesting a long drinking window of 15-18 years.

95pts James Suckling

Tobacco, walnut husks, blackberries and cedar on the nose of this full-bodied, layered red. It’s classy and complex, showing mineral, spicy nuances to the dark fruit. The tight-grained tannins and bright acidity provide excellent structure. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 13% cabernet franc, 8% malbec and 8% petit verdot. Drink from 2028.

95pts Owen Bargreen

Winemaker Notes

Our Estate Perigee captures the essence of Seven Hills Vineyard’s characteristic rich elegance, seductive aromas, and earthy structure. L’Ecole has been producing wines from Seven Hills Vineyard since 1993. We hand-select our oldest and most distinguished blocks to produce this stunning, flagship wine.

Perigee captures the essence of this estate vineyard with its hallmark notes of cedar and dark cherry, wrapped in a framework of refined structure. It exudes captivating scents and flavors of spiced black currants, tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, cigar box, and cocoa, all uplifted by delicate floral notes and sage. The finish is intricately layered, luxuriously long, and supported by silky, powdery, and well-structured tannins.