2017 L’Ecole No 41 Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Washington ($39)

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is dense with layers of dark fruit flavors. It’s a very expressive red with black currant, dark chocolate, and black cherry notes. On the finish there’s fresh plum spice and cedar that leads to a nice earthy note, with additional layers of espresso and spice. The finishes long with polished tannins. This is a great wine to pair with anything grilled like beef or pork tenderloin.

2019 L’Ecole No 41 Winery Semillon, Columbia Valley, Washington ($15)

Marc and I are big fans of Semillon, and this one packs a punch. It’s an aromatic wine that is lively and complex with a lot of richness and vibrancy. The fruit was whole cluster pressed, meaning that the grapes were directly pressed with the stems intact, which creates a more delicate, less astringent wine. I’m a huge fan of whole cluster pressing because it reduces the harsh tannins, producing a more delicate wine with layers of complexity and aromatics.  The flavor profiles are lovely with traditional Semillon aromas and flavors of orange blossom, melon, lime, and honeysuckle. It finishes clean and lively with some hazelnut to finish it off. It’s a very versatile white that will pair with almost anything such as chicken, cheese, and fish dishes.