2020 Force Majeure Epinette Red
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Épinette is very pretty and deeply floral, with dusty rose and spice giving way to crushed blueberries. Its Merlot component sings, soft and enveloping, with mineral-tinged red and blue fruits that cascade throughout. The 2020 tapers off with youthful tension, leaving grippy tannins to linger. A slightly bitter tinge of sour orange adds a lovely contrast. Épinette is a blend of 52% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The more Merlot-dominated 2020 Épinette offers a forward, opulent, sexy style as well as loads of ripe dark cherry fruits, some chocolate, tobacco, and leafy herb nuances, beautiful purity, velvety tannins, and full-bodied richness. It's one heck of an impressive Merlot that will drink well for 7-8 years. The blend is 52% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot.
Mostly Merlot with 26% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Épinette is red-fruited and dusty with a spicy and oaky essence that sways with notions of baked earth. The wine continues to expand, showing dusty red florals with hints of savory herbs, sage and red pepper blossoms. The wine has a firm and tannic mouthfeel and will no doubt age marvelously. It offers notes of graphite and dusty plum with hints of oak and dried herbs. Give it time; your patience will be rewarded. The wine aged in 55% new French oak for 20 months. Just under 4,700 bottles were made.