Force Majeure
Today we share the fabulous wines of Force Majeure Vineyard. For years I have admired the beautiful range of wines from this house that include tension-filled Viognier to inky Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines I tasted were from former winemaker Todd Alexander. They were dense, inky and bold wines with incredible structure and aging potential
Alexander made clearly some of the state’s finest Rhone-inspired wines from 2022 which was a year that saw mixed results, with a late harvest and cooler temperatures. The top producers from this vintage made extraordinarily good wines. 2023 on the other hand is a more seamless vintage and also one that saw few 100 degree days. It was a moderately warm year and Alexander made some stunning wines from ’23. One of the best wines from ’23, the 2023 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) is one of the finest wines I have tasted from this estate. It is dense, powerful and bold — quintessential Red Mountain Cabernet. Learn more at https://forcemajeurevineyards.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Force Majeure.
2022 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Parvata’ has considerably more Mourvèdre (50% v 39%) than the 2021 edition, with 29% Grenache and only 21% Syrah (compared to 46% in the ’21). This wine has gotten better and better since it was first made nearly ten years back. This CDP-inspired blend was stored in a limited amount of new French oak barrels prior to bottling. Smoked brisket and beef drippings with Umami all hit the nose alongside white pepper dusted blackberry and shades of wintergreen. The heady and complex aromatics are truly captivating. Silky and elegant throughout the drinking experience, this has to be the finest CDP-inspired blend made in Washington State. A touch more elegant than the brooding ’21 edition, this might be a notch better — and certainly will cellar well for at least another fifteen years. Bravo! Drink 2026-2042- 98
2023 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine- Another stellar edition of this wine, the 2023 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine combines Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache from their estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Tar, garrigue and shades of loganberry combine with scorched earth notes on the nose. The palate is round and generous with similar viscosity than the ’22 and a touch less finesse. It is a total joy ton consume now with its lush texture and depth, as each working part sings in unison. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 97
2022 Force Majeure Grenache- 100% varietal, this had a touch of stem inclusion and was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This is seamless throughout the drinking experience with a weightless appearance. Bright red fruits parade with orange peel, bergamot, smoke and lavender notes on the palate. A gorgeous wine to consume now, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2036- 96
2023 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla’ Syrah- Another year, another super edition of this wine from a slightly warmer vintage. The 2022 ‘Walla Walla’ Syrah is viscous and dense with a seamless mouthfeel and loads of rocky/loamy soil character alongside medium to full-bodied kirsch and black plum notes, alongside black pepper dusted beef brisket on the palate. Seriously good now, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 96
2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah- A dizzying follow up to the 2021, the 2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah was sourced from this 11 acre Red Mountain estate vineyard set on basalt deposits. The wine had 2% Viognier blended in and shows shades of creosote and beef drippings on the nose alongside suggestions of espresso grounds, black rose petals and suggestions of blueberry pie. The palate is rich, viscous and absolutely delicious, with sensational finesse and opulent concentration. This is next-level Syrah that will compete with the finest wines of its kind on the West Coast. Flirting with perfection, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2042- 99
2023 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Tempranillo- One of the unique wines in Washington, the inky, bold and utterly delicious 2023 ‘Estate’ Tempranillo tastes unlike anything you will find on Red Mountain. It is tightly wound and highly structured, with great opulence and depth on the mid-palate. Concentrated fig and blueberry compote flavors collide with chocolate and graphite on the palate, with a slight herbal edge. Slightly tannic and a touch backwards now, this has a very long life ahead of it. Give this beauty another year in the bottle before consuming. Drink 2027-2040- 97
2022 Force Majeure ‘Epinette’ Red Wine- Mainly Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon blended in, the 2022 ‘Epinette’ offers mocha, tar and anise notes alongside red bell pepper on the nose. The palate is heady and dense with great freshness and tension. A joy to consume now, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2043- 98
2023 Force Majeure ‘Epinette’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Epinette’ is a Right Bank-inspired beauty that has a long life in front of it. On the nose this takes on dried herbs, sandalwood and decadent dark chocolate shavings with espresso ground accents. It is hedonistic and rich with a soft mouthfeel as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2043- 98
2022 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from vines set on cobblestones, the 2022 ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers good freshness and texture with loads of stony character alongside soy sauce and dense dark fruits with good freshness. Drink 2026-2036- 95
2023 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific edition of this wine coming from old vines set on cobblestone soils. The rocky character on the mid-palate is seriously good, as soy sauce and beef dripping flavors combine with medium to full-bodied huckleberry and wild blackberry fruits. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 96
2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The stunning 2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is the best wine of the tasting. Once on the nose this takes on mocha, tar and tobacco leaf as well as creme de violette notes. The palate is plush and layered with tremendous acidity and freshness alongside granite and sandalwood notes. A world-class wine, enjoy now and overs the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2026-2043- 99
2023 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- One of the great wines made in 2023, the Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is heady and intense, slightly better weighted and less poised than the fabulous ’22 edition. Once on the nose this takes on marionberry and black cherry compote aromas that combine with creosote, and shades of milk chocolate with sagebrush accents. The complex and downright delightful aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. This is bold and viscous with serious intensity, power and weight. Give this an hour in the decanter if enjoying in its full-throttle youth. Drink 2026-2044- 99