Force Majeure

On rare occasion I find it necessary to write a feature immediately after I have tasted the wines. I really savor that concept, keeping wines fresh in your memory as if you have just tried them. Such is the case with last night as I met with superstar winemaker, Todd Alexander, at RN74 Seattle. It had been a year since I tried his Force Majeure wines and I was due for a visit. Todd has recently taken over consultant winemaking duties at The Walls, so he has been very busy of late. We traded travel stories and embarked on what was an epic journey into Washington wine. Todd formerly was winemaker at Bryant Family before coming to Washington and taking the reins at Force Majeure. I have seen a remarkable change at the winery since he has taken over the program. HIs deft Napa touch is evident in the wines as his lineup all share the common vein of great viscosity and mouthfeel, as he is able to capture texturally elegant and gratifying wines. 

Quite simply, the new Force Majeure lineup is up there with the best of Washington. I was blown away with the new 2017 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine (WWB, 95) which is the best bottling of this that I have sampled. This wine has electric range and a gorgeous, dense mouthfeel. Even better was the 2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Syrah (WWB, 96) which is a massive, hedonistic, monster of a wine that not only carries sensational weight and viscosity but seriously good tension and acidity. This is one for the cellar. His Bordeaux style wines were just as thrilling. Do not miss out on the 2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 97) which is up there with the best of its kind in Washington. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://forcemajeurevineyards.com Here are the sensational new release wines by Force Majeure 

2017 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine- Sanskrit for ‘mountain’ the ‘Parvata’ is a silky blend of 42% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache and 25% Syrah with smaller portions Cinsault and Counoise. The wine was aged for 25% new French oak, mostly in larger format oak barrels (400L to 500L), prior to bottling. The ‘Parvata’ starts off with black cherry cordial and shades of black licorice and seaweed that combine smoky and earthy undertones on this expressive nose. The palate has wonderful weight and density, as the silky mouthfeel is thrilling to savor. Showing seriously good flavor range, the wine unveils dense dark fruits with Umami, black peppered sirloin and shades of bulls blood that all march in line on this expressive palate. Thrilling now to savor, the ‘Parvata’ is a joy to consume in its youth and will provide drinking enjoyment over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 95

2017 Force Majeure ‘Les Voles’ Mourvedre- Translated as ‘The Stolen’ in French, the ‘Les Voles’ Mourvedre is a spectacular new bottling by superstar winemaker Todd Alexander. Sourced from their Force Majeure Estate Vineyard on Red Mountain, the ‘Les Voles’ opens with aromas of Black Forest cake and smoke that mingle with white pepped bacon and kirsch cordial that all mingle together in the glass. The palate has deftly combined great freshness, verve and richness, with a silky mouthfeel that delights. Black cherry cough syrup, dark licorice, smoked pork shoulder and shades of green olive tapenade with lighter earthy and flinty tones occupy the palate. Savory and smoky, with wonderful weight, yet not coming across overly heavy, the ‘Les Voules’ is a stunning, one of a kind Mourvedre that is amongst the best of its kind in the state. Drink 2020-2035- 95

2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Syrah- The 2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Syrah is a scintillating new bottling by the talented Todd Alexander. The aromatic range is thrilling from bacon fat to dried herbs and lavender infused black tea that collide with rich dark fruits and sagebrush undertones that take shape in the glass. The texture and mouthfeel of the wine is seriously good while the bright acidity provides a beautiful backbone. A deep core of dark fruits expansively greet you on the palate, combining with shades of Hoisin sauce, smoked brisket, coffee grounds and suggestions of blueberry compote that all create a beautiful range of flavors. Gorgeous now in its youth the 2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate' Syrah will cellar well for the next fifteen years — but is nearly impossible to resist in its youth. Drink 2020-2035- 96

2017 Force Majeure ‘Epinette’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Epinette’ Red Wine is a thrilling blend of 53% Merlot with 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller portions Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Literally meaning ‘pine tree’ in French, this is a nod to Washington State and a link to the pine trees that line the right bank of Bordeaux. The deep dark and blue fruits on the nose marvelously meld with tar and mocha aromatics that are deftly woven together in the glass. The freshness and verve of the wine is outstanding, as a light salinity runs through the core of black cherry cordial, blueberry compote, blackberry compote, exotic spices, mocha, tar and black licorice with sagebrush undertones that all mingle together in the glass. Lightly tannic and rich, yet beautifully balanced, this gorgeous wine really needs a few years of bottle age to fly come into its own. No doubt the 2017 ‘Epinette’ will cellar gracefully for two plus decades. Drink 2022-2040- 96

2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Force Majeure is a stunning showing from this estate vineyard high up on Red Mountain. Aged for 80% new French oak for 22 months, this opens with tar and Turkish coffee aromatics that meld with shades of blackberry pie and shades of black tea and exotic spices that all mingle together in the glass. The voluptuous mouthfeel eagerly coats the mid-palate. The wine has moderate tannins that line an intense and highly gratifying core of dark fruits that combine with black licorice, cigar box and creme de cassis flavors. Combination of elegance and rich dark fruit flavors really impress. Sensational in its youth, give this at least a two hour decant prior to enjoying. Drink 2022-2045- 97

2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Tempranillo- Sourced from their one block planted in the Force Majeure Vineyard on Red Mountain, the 2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Tempranillo opens with lovely earthy tones that combine with Hoisin sauce, milk chocolate and shades of wild blackberry preserves that all meld together in the glass. The textural elements to the wine are downright scintillating considering the varietal. Showing amazing weight and verve, this moderately tannic wine delivers black currants that mingle with smoked brisket and suggestions of blueberry compotes and milk chocolate flavors. This is truly one of a kind. Beautiful and every bit hedonistic, yet marvelously balanced in its youth, give this at least a two hour decant if enjoying in its nascent phase. Drink 2020-2038- 96