Force Majeure Estate Syrah Red Mountain 2018

- 95 Punkte WINESPECTATOR: „Combines power with finesse and polish, offering vibrant blackberry, crushed rock and cured pepper beef accents that gather tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases made.“

- 97 Punkte DECANTER, Owen Bargreen: „The Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Syrah a remarkable achievement from this outstanding vintage on Red Mountain. The aromatics are simply captivating with smoked brisket alongside violets and lavender with white pepper and wild huckleberry compote. The palate is deeply concentrated and flaunts a great core of acidity with firm tannins holding everything in place. Shades of blood orange zest alongside black olive tapenade, blackberry pie, mocha, fresh blueberries, and tar with Black Forest cake all impress. The length provides the resounding crescendo, as this beautiful wine will be best enjoyed over the next 10-15 years. Drinking Window 2021 – 2035“

- 98 Punkte JEB DUNNUCK: „Looking at the 2018 Syrah Red Mountain Estate, which comes from the estate on Red Mountain, it saw a splash of Viognier and 15% stems, with the élevage in a mix of new and used French oak barrels. Revealing a dense purple hue as well as a powerful, full-bodied style, it offers gorgeous cassis and blackberry fruits interwoven with lots of rocky minerality, beef blood, smoked game, and chocolatey nuances. These carry to a full-bodied, concentrated, opulent Syrah that reminds me of a Ermitage Le Méal from the likes of Chapoutier (I pulled one from my cellar to compare) with its ripe, sexy, yet still structured and layered texture. This is a beautiful, world-class Syrah from Red Mountain that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for over a decade.“