Force Majeure Syrah 2013
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There's 275 cases of the utterly sensational 2013 Estate Syrah and this 100% Syrah release comes all from the steep, upper portions of the Force Majeure vineyard on Red Mountain. Seamless and sexy, with pure creme de cassis, blackberry, smoked earth, crushed flowers and hints of violets, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, no hard edges and a great finish. While no lightweight, it shines just as much for its purity and elegance as for richness and depth. It's already hard to resist, yet should drink beautifully for a decade or more.
-
Wine Spectator
Crunchy tannins surround an explosive core of pure blackberry, blueberry and creamy spice flavors, with hints of crushed rock adding depth as the finish lingers with presence and purity. Best from 2018 through 2023.
-
Wine Enthusiast
The aromas of ground granite, dark raspberries, plum and pencil lead have not yet fully unfurled but still offer immediate allure. Flavors are saturated and layered, with the tannins providing some heft. It's a serious wine that provides a whole lot of enjoyment and that should benefit from time in the cellar.
Other Vintages
2020-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
- Vinous
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spectator
Wine
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
This Herculean effort involved the careful matching of varietal and clonal selections, trellising and irrigation to the nine distinct soil types formed by the ancient Missoula floods, winds and volcanic activity. The outcome is a vineyard articulated into many small "micro-blocks," to meet the management demands of this unique and dynamic site. Due to the rough, rocky nature of the acreage and elevations ranging from 960 to 1,230 feet, mechanization is virtually impossible in the upper portion of Force Majeure, requiring true "farming by hand." Yet the lower blocks of the vineyard are comprised of deep, well-drained Warden soils.
Thus, the diversity of our vineyard results in a versatility that allows us to grow a variety of compelling fruit characterized by stunning intensity, depth and concentration, complex flavors and fine tannins. We nurture a variety of Bordeaux and Rhone varietals at this special site and look forward to sharing, quite literally, the "fruits of our labor" with you.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A coveted source of top quality red grapes among premier Washington producers, the Red Mountain AVA is actually the smallest appellation in the state. As its name might suggest, it is actually neither a mountain nor is it composed of red earth. Instead the appellation is an anticline of the Yakima fold belt, a series of geologic folds that define a number of viticultural regions in the surrounding area. It is on the eastern edge of Yakima Valley with slopes facing southwest towards the Yakima River, ideal for the ripening of grapes. The area’s springtime proliferation of cheatgrass, which has a reddish color, actually gives the area the name, "Red" Mountain.
Red Mountain produces some of the most mineral-driven, tannic and age-worthy red wines of Washington and there are a few reasons for this. It is just about the hottest appellation with normal growing season temperatures commonly reaching above 90F. The soil is particularly poor in nutrients and has a high pH, which results in significantly smaller berry sizes compared to varietal norms. The low juice to skin ratio in smaller berries combined with the strong, dry summer winds, leads to higher tannin levels in Red Mountain grapes.
The most common red grape varieties here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, among others. Limited white varieties are grown, namely Sauvignon blanc.
The reds of the area tend to express dark black and blue fruit, deep concentration, complex textures, high levels of tannins and as previously noted, have good aging capabilities.