2016 Force Majeure Tempranillo Force Majeure Vineyard

Blended with a touch of Grenache, the 2016 Tempranillo Red Mountain Estate was fermented in new oak before aging in once-used barrels. Inky black-colored with terrific notes of spice black cherries, dried earth, herbs, and graphite, this beauty is full-bodied, rich, structured and tannic, with sensational purity of fruit. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink over the following decade. Now focusing almost exclusively on their Red Mountain estate vineyards, Force Majeure is making some of the most compelling wines in Washington State, as well as in the United States. Winemaker Todd Alexander (previously at Bryant Family in Napa Valley) came on board in 2014 and today the wines show another level of purity and finesse, all while not sacrificing depth of fruit or texture. Both the 2015s and 2016 are terrific wines, with a small edge going to the 2016s. Trust me, these are gorgeous wines you need to try.