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2016 Force Majeure Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 99 pts - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain Estate is a thrilling effort from winemaker Todd Alexander that rates with some of the most monumental wines to come out of Washington State. Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from their estate vineyard on Red Mountain, brought up in mostly new barrels, it reveals a saturated purple color that's followed by a rich, primordial bouquet of crème de cassis, espresso roast, crushed rock, and graphite. It needs considerable air to start to show its potential yet is a full-bodied, powerful wine that has subtle oak, plenty of sweet tannins, and a huge, layered finish that won't quit. It's the tannin management that's truly spectacular. This brilliant wine needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will keep for 2-3 decades."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2019), 99 pts

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2017 Force Majeure Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 92+ PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Bright full ruby. Musky, very ripe scents of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and licorice--not quite port-like but less nuanced than the Epinette blend. Wonderfully glossy, rich and suave in the middle palate, with very ripe, deep dark berry and milk chocolate flavors accented by menthol and herbs. The wine's superripeness, fatness and underlying herbal and mineral notes should come into greater harmony with another few years of bottle aging bottle; today the Epinette blend is easier to drink. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (December 2019), 92+ pts

2017 Force Majeure Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 95+ PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain Estate is another powerful wine from this team. Opulent notes of blackcurrants, graphite, chocolate, crushed rocks, wild herbs, and espresso all give way to a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that has loads of fruit, a superstar of a mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It’s another 2017 that’s going to benefit from at least 2-4 years of bottle age and have 20 years or more of longevity."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 95+ pts

2018 Force Majeure Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 PTS - WS

wine spectator 95 pts"Impressive for its richness and deep structure, this red screams Red Mountain, offering compelling blackberry, crushed rock and espresso tones that build tension toward firm tannins. Best from 2022 through 2031. 500 cases made. - TF"

- Wine Spectator (October 2021), 95 pts

2018 Force Majeure Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 97+ PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain Estate is much more dense, tannic, backward wine compared to the Walla Walla Estate release. Its deep purple/plum color is followed by a masculine bouquet of crushed rocks, tobacco, iodine, and lead pencil. This carries to a full-bodied Red Mountain Cabernet with gorgeous overall balance, ripe yet building tannins, an undeniable sense of minerality, and a blockbuster finish. Possessing a liquid rock-like minerality (it seems to have been filtered through a bed of rocks), it's mostly educational at this young age and deserves 4-5 years of bottle age. It should keep for 2-3 decades in cold cellars."

- Jeb Dunnuck (May 2021), 97+ pts

2018 Force Majeure Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 99 PTS - Decanter

decanter logo 250"One of the wines of the vintage. Comprised of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small parts Merlot and Petit Verdot, this saw 80% new French oak prior to bottling. The nose is downright intoxicating with crème de cassis, anise, blueberry compote and sandalwood tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is rich and seductive, with not only beautiful concentration but a seamless texture and downright brilliant length. Rich crème de violette, sagebrush, blackberry cordial and mocha flavours provide plenty of exotic appeal."

- Decanter (April 2021), 99 pts