Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

This is now the second time in the past year that I have tried the absolutely massive 2016 Force Majeure Syrah, a dazzling, dense and hedonistic Red Mountain Syrah carefully crafted by the talented Todd Alexander. Roughly 20% of this wine underwent while cluster fermentation. The Syrah was aged in 25% new oak for 18 months prior to bottling. The nose shows wonderful dark fruits with smoky character, sage, dark chocolate, and damp earth. The palate is exceedingly refined. Black tea, black forest cake, cigar ash and smoked brisket flavors with citrus rind undertones that all marvelously combine. There is a seamless quality to this wine that glides across the mid-palate. Seductive and rich, yet maintaining a wonderful elegance and an intriguing salinity, this is a simply tremendous bottling by Force Majeure. A year ago when I had this wine I mentioned that this might be the best Red Mountain Syrah I have ever tasted. On second glance, my first impression was correct. Drink 2020-2035- 95 — 18 days ago

Tetsu Nakazawa

8.9

Buono, a mia moglie piace Chenin Blanc — a day ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

Served going to a bunch of experienced palates. Was getting quite a few old Napa Cab guesses, some that were thinking it could have been either Australian Shirazzie or Washington Syrah. Shay mentioned it was likely a warmer climate, so he got that. I completely understand pretty much all of those guesses is this one seemed to have a little bit of a roasted black fruit, clove, barbecue kind of character to it. With salted kettle chips it definitely brought the barbecue and grilled character out. This wine still had plenty of depth and a lot of character displaying a surprising amount of pepper on the finish. In their youth, these have an insane amount of tannin despite being rather on the medium-bodied side, and I really was not experiencing that here. Much improved, smoother, tannins have fully integrated. Optimal time to consume this was probably three or four years ago but in my opinion it was doing quite well today. — 15 days ago

with Shay, joe and 1 other

MICHAEL COOPER

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

Being the #winemaker at #vinosdelviento I feel a kindred spirit to this winery. A very interesting #uruguaywine #uruguay — 13 hours ago

Bart van Wijngaarden

8.9

Very satisfying Rhône blend. Full bodied, smooth, good length, spicy. — 3 days ago

Meredith Hu

9.2

High intensity on the nose even higher on the palate, medium minus acid, full body 14% abv, 30% new French oak, 18 months in barrel, steep slope with deep granite soils. Sea salt, sweet baking spices, just ripe yellow apricot, apple, lime, canned peach, mushroom, and cream. Long finish. — 3 days ago

John Paterson

9.1

Woody, syrupy and absolutely centrally tongue focussed. Viognier dominated. Different, but very enjoyable. — 19 days ago

Rebecca Fowler

8.9

My first orange wine. Funky on the nose but the Chenin Blanc creates a smooth finish. — 5 days ago

Jan de Weerd

9.2

Spicy, rich, exotic cigar notes, all drenched in dark ripe black fruit. Although, for me, too much in your face without the depth of complexity. Tammy loved it. — 16 days ago

with Tammy

Meredith Hu

9.4

Cedar wood, ash, iron, iodine, blood, balsamic oil, flinty smoke, crushed dry stones, purple flowers, tart red cherry, dried herbs, elevated acid, medium plus tannins, long finish. 13 months in old French oak barrels. Inland high elevation sites. — 3 days ago