Force Majeure

Èpinette Red Mountain Merlot Blend

9.220 ratings
9.12 pro ratings
Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Merlot Blend
Top Notes For
Shawn R

Blind I would have thought BDX, gave off to much funk that never left. I see some potential, yet not sure how this wine will progress.

Blind I would have thought BDX, gave off to much funk that never left. I see some potential, yet not sure how this wine will progress.

Apr 19th, 2019
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Dark nose with dark chocolate, a touch leafy, black currants, and dark gravel. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Dark and ripe with bitter dark cocoa, black currants, damp earthiness and crushed granite. Long and lingering finish. Tons of potential but needs some time to simmer down. Drink from 2019 till 2029. (92+)


2014 is the first vintage since Force Majeure Vineyards decided to discontinue their 'Collaboration Series' line of wines in the 2013 vintage. Now all the wines are made by Todd Alexander. The name Épinette means three different things that fit the wine perfectly. First is the avenue in Libourne that leads to Pomeral and St. Émilion - perfect for the inspiration behind the bottle. Secondly it is an instrument that is similar to a piano - which produces beautiful sounds like this beautiful wine. Lastly it is a word for pine wood - perfect for being in Washington State. The Épinette is Force Majeure's Right Bank Bordeaux inspired bottling made up of 58% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot all from the estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak and only 240 cases produced.

Sample provided by the estate. Retail price is $95.00.

Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Dark nose with dark chocolate, a touch leafy, black currants, and dark gravel. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Dark and ripe with bitter dark cocoa, black currants, damp earthiness and crushed granite. Long and lingering finish. Tons of potential but needs some time to simmer down. Drink from 2019 till 2029. (92+)


2014 is the first vintage since Force Majeure Vineyards decided to discontinue their 'Collaboration Series' line of wines in the 2013 vintage. Now all the wines are made by Todd Alexander. The name Épinette means three different things that fit the wine perfectly. First is the avenue in Libourne that leads to Pomeral and St. Émilion - perfect for the inspiration behind the bottle. Secondly it is an instrument that is similar to a piano - which produces beautiful sounds like this beautiful wine. Lastly it is a word for pine wood - perfect for being in Washington State. The Épinette is Force Majeure's Right Bank Bordeaux inspired bottling made up of 58% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot all from the estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak and only 240 cases produced.

Sample provided by the estate. Retail price is $95.00.

Jan 24th, 2018
Hugh O'Riordan

A delicious blend. Mostly merlot but I’ve guessed a cab. Very well blended and yummy. Probably will age longer then me .

A delicious blend. Mostly merlot but I’ve guessed a cab. Very well blended and yummy. Probably will age longer then me .

Nov 1st, 2022
John Gallo

Aromatic, honest, smooth for 6 years, dry. Paid $180 for the bottle at La Tour.

Aromatic, honest, smooth for 6 years, dry. Paid $180 for the bottle at La Tour.

Mar 18th, 2021
David Wanek

Very nice right bank blend. Drinking it way to early but still very enjoyable. Has considerable torque that tells you it will be good for 10-15 more years.

Very nice right bank blend. Drinking it way to early but still very enjoyable. Has considerable torque that tells you it will be good for 10-15 more years.

Jun 21st, 2019
Hugh O'Riordan

Delicious wine from. Great producer

Delicious wine from. Great producer

Feb 23rd, 2018
Hugh O'Riordan

A wonderful blend. Merlot dominant. Sweet tannins , complex flavors. Lots of dark fruit . This will age!!

A wonderful blend. Merlot dominant. Sweet tannins , complex flavors. Lots of dark fruit . This will age!!

Nov 4th, 2017
Justin Cykler

This FM right-bank red blend is young and delicious (nor classified yet by Delectable). Available in August 2017.

This FM right-bank red blend is young and delicious (nor classified yet by Delectable). Available in August 2017.

Mar 31st, 2017
Ricardo Rebeil

Ricardo had this 7 months ago

Ricardo had this 7 months ago

Apr 28th, 2024
Fred heupler

Fred had this a year ago

Fred had this a year ago

Jul 26th, 2023