2011 Force Majeure Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

Also incredible, especially in the vintage, the 2011 Syrah Collaboration Series III (also made by Mike MacMorran) spent slightly less time in oak, with 18 months in 33% new French barrels and larger puncheons. Creme de cassis, pepper, lead pencil shavings and spring flowers are just some of the nuances here, and this full-bodied, rich and layered effort has no hard edges, integrated acidity and a terrific finish. It will have 10-15 years of overall longevity. One of my favorite estates in Washington, Force Majeure is run by Paul McBride and vineyard manager Ryan Johnson. The focus here is always Red Mountain fruit, with grapes pulled mostly from the creme de la creme Ciel du Cheval vineyard, and increasingly from their estate Force Majeure Vineyard as more and more plots come online. Each cuvee is made by a different winemaker, and they’re allowed a relatively free hand with regards to pick dates and vinification. The result is a myriad of styles, yet the purity of the fruit from these two great sites is always present. Looking at the different cuvees, their Collaboration Series I is their Bordeaux styled- blend and is made by Ben Smith. The Collaboration II (which I tasted out of barrel in 2011 but neither it nor the 2012 were presented for this report) is a Syrah and Viognier blend that’s made by Ross Michel. The Collaboration III is a 100% Syrah that’s made by Mike MacMorran with the goal to highlight Washington State Syrah, namely Red Mountain. Their Merlot-dominated wine is the Collaboration IV, and it’s made by Carolyn Lakewold of Donedi Wine. Their 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the Collaboration V and is made by Chris Gorman (Gorman Winery). And lastly, the Collaboration Series VI is their Rhone-styled release made by James Mantone of Syncline. In addition, they do a number of new estate release, and reserve wines as well. I believe the winemaker for these efforts is Mike MacMorran. The estate’s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon release is the Collaboration V and is made by Chris Gorman, of Gorman Winery. It’s always made in a rich, full-throttle style, yet is never over-the- top. www.forcemajeurevineyards.com

Coming all from the estate Force Majeure Vineyard, the 2011 Collaboration Series Syrah displays the earthy, savory side to the variety with plenty of tobacco leaf, underbrush, black pepper, currants and damp earth on the nose. A rich, full-bodied effort that defies the age-old, old-vine marketing you often hear (it’s from fourth leaf vines), it is beautifully concentrated and rich through the mid-palate, has a fleshy, weighty texture and a great finish. I can’t wait to taste it from bottle, but I suspect it will be reasonably approachable on release and have a 12-15 years of prime drinking. Drink now-2026. Focusing on site specific fruit (Red Mountain) and utilizing a variety of top winemakers who each make a specific style of wine, Force Majeure (formerly Grand Reve) is the brain child of entrepreneur Paul McBride and vineyard manager Ryan Johnson. I’ve raved about this producer in the past, and I continue to do so here. If anyone doubts that great wine is made in the vineyard, I urge you to taste through this lineup as the quality of the fruit shows in each wine, regardless of the winemaker. While this estate pulls heavily from the Ciel du Cheval vineyard, their estate Force Majeure Vineyard, which is located at the very top of Red Mountain on very steep slopes (I had car “issues” trying to get up them during my first visit in 2010) is just now coming on line and is already showing ample promise. I’ve put these wines in numerous blind tastings with the best wines in the world and they always hold their own. Don’t miss them. www.forcemajeurevineyards.com