2017 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain
"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." – 95+ points, Jeb Dunnuck
A “Force Majeure” is a legal term meaning an unanticipated, unstoppable force, which is a fitting handle for this Red Mountain winery founded in 2004, which has swiftly rocketed to critical acclaim recently. It’s no wonder. You get the legendary Dick Bouschey to manage your hillside vineyards, you hire Helen Keplinger to consult, and hire former Bryant Family winemaker Todd Alexander to make the wines, and, bada bing, you’ve got a force to be reckoned with. Force Majeure is becoming a pacesetter in Washington’s Red Mountain AVA; these rhône-style wines are about as good as it gets – Cayuse fans, you got yer ears on?
Wine Advocate
The 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is focused on the nose, with a clean expression of black fruit over tiramisu cake, with a dusty edge. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the mouthfeel is ripe and grippy with grainy tannins at the moment and fills the mid-palate with focused, bitter dark chocolate and blackberry preserve. The wine ends with a precision that brings pleasure on the still tight but long and lingering finish.
Jeb Dunnuck
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.