In the illustrious realm of Washington's Red Mountain, the Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 emerges as a tapestry woven with the threads of the region's terroir and the enigmatic nuances of the vintage.
The terroir of Red Mountain, revered for its warm days and cool nights, imparts a signature intensity to the wine. This Cabernet Sauvignon, adorned in a regal garnet, beckons with an aromatic ensemble of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and a subtle whisper of sage, reflective of the region's arid yet nuanced landscape.
On the palate, the wine unfolds with a structured symphony — ripe black fruit, hints of cocoa, and a trace of graphite. The tannins, firm and well-integrated, mirror the robust character of Red Mountain. There's an inherent power that reverberates through each sip, showcasing the wine's ability to encapsulate the essence of this distinctive AVA.
However, even within this vinous panorama, a certain predictability surfaces. The positives of structure and intensity occasionally veer towards the expected, lacking the audacious spirit that could elevate it to the echelons of truly groundbreaking Cabernet Sauvignons.
Despite the subtle predictability, the Force Majeure 2012 possesses a commendable balance, embodying the character of Red Mountain with a certain regality. As the years unfold, this wine is poised for evolution, a testament to the aging potential of both the vintage and the terroir.
In summary, Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain 2012 is a portrait of its origin and vintage, offering a glimpse into the bold terroir of Red Mountain with a poised, if slightly restrained, expression. A choice for those who seek the grandeur of Washington Cabernet while acknowledging the nuanced expectations inherent in its audacious surroundings.
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Rich, delicious black cherry fruit with cassis and chocolate flavors, excellent structure, long finish, very open but with ample still tannins, great wine
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Oh yeah. Raising the points to 94. This is in such a good place, hitting all the right notes.
11/8/2021 note: Fav of the night at our Walla Walla gathering that included ‘12 Figgins Red. The Figgins was my fav, given 94 points two months ago. Crowd rules the win, I rule the points: 93.
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Picked up a few on the secondary market to see if I wanted to join the list
Off the truck and into the decanter —no rest for this cross country traveler, first time to try the Force Majeure
At age 10, this is has lovely texture and mouth feel, seemingly resolved acid, with a nice structural tannic backbone remaining without being intrusive
Spice, fresh cut flowers, bitter chocolate on the nose
Crushed berry fruit mostly blackberry with a touch of intense red berry fruit intense at the front descending nicely from the mid-palate to the rear nice 20 second finish. After an hour in the decanter, this really blossomed with really nice riper red fruits appearing. Crazy great QPR. Not so much at current 2019 pricing.
I think this is better as a food wine, and frankly I think I drank this five years too young. Have a 13 and a 16 that will rest until the age of 15
The verdict: Not joining the list in light of current pricing but will pick up some more on the secondary market when the price is right.
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I had this alongside a 2010 O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain. I'm not sure which I liked better. This went really well with both the Sirloin steak and the mutton chop that my group ordered.
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Had 1/2 through coravin, finished bottle a week later. Delicious in round two - put on weight, retained fresh/vibrant red fruit bouquet, crisp but well integrated, beautiful showing. I remain conflicted on FM wines - they seem overpriced in their youth, and I’ve struggled to reconcile my experiences with ratings agencies. I stopped my allocation, but they have consistently met expectations with bottle age.
Should be a blockbuster as all of the elements are there but the tannins are ridiculous right now. Needs at least 4-5 more years in the bottle and could improve by another point or two.
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Very young but ultra delicious. Beautiful bouquet of cedar, vanilla, toasted carmel, cherries, reduced blueberries and huckleberries and a wall of tannins. After a few hour decant a bit of loam with all the other notes place. A layered wine that reminded me of the early 2000's Rubicon Estate wines.
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This baby is big and bold and the stuffing to age for quite awhile. Recommend a few more years in the cellar or a good 4 hour decant. Can't wait to see how this matures.
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Vintage Wines cab tasting. Up against other Napa cabs. One of my least favorites at the highest price point. Needs time to probably show itself. Certainly decent but unable to tell how much better might get. I drink almost no Washington cabs but this isn't the one to necessarily get me to start as don't see the QPR.
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Friends and I tasted this at the 4/18/15 release party. It had a deep, rich, expressive bouquet of smoke, black currant, blueberry, mocha, cocoa and spice aromas. The palate was tight, dry and astringent with flavors that followed the nose.
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12/25/2023 - Nowine4U-sucks Likes this wine: 90 Points
In the illustrious realm of Washington's Red Mountain, the Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 emerges as a tapestry woven with the threads of the region's terroir and the enigmatic nuances of the vintage.
The terroir of Red Mountain, revered for its warm days and cool nights, imparts a signature intensity to the wine. This Cabernet Sauvignon, adorned in a regal garnet, beckons with an aromatic ensemble of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and a subtle whisper of sage, reflective of the region's arid yet nuanced landscape.
On the palate, the wine unfolds with a structured symphony — ripe black fruit, hints of cocoa, and a trace of graphite. The tannins, firm and well-integrated, mirror the robust character of Red Mountain. There's an inherent power that reverberates through each sip, showcasing the wine's ability to encapsulate the essence of this distinctive AVA.
However, even within this vinous panorama, a certain predictability surfaces. The positives of structure and intensity occasionally veer towards the expected, lacking the audacious spirit that could elevate it to the echelons of truly groundbreaking Cabernet Sauvignons.
Despite the subtle predictability, the Force Majeure 2012 possesses a commendable balance, embodying the character of Red Mountain with a certain regality. As the years unfold, this wine is poised for evolution, a testament to the aging potential of both the vintage and the terroir.
In summary, Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain 2012 is a portrait of its origin and vintage, offering a glimpse into the bold terroir of Red Mountain with a poised, if slightly restrained, expression. A choice for those who seek the grandeur of Washington Cabernet while acknowledging the nuanced expectations inherent in its audacious surroundings.
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8/2/2023 - Amerique wrote: 95 Points
Rich, delicious black cherry fruit with cassis and chocolate flavors, excellent structure, long finish, very open but with ample still tannins, great wine
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11/5/2022 - Grinner wrote: 93 Points
The Nearly Annual Lyon 10 Year Retro Tasting #24, Wines of Washington (Lyon Again, Eugene, OR): As can happen in a long blind tasting, my notes got shorter..."Big Cab". More black than red fruited with some oak and anise / fennel. 90 on day 2, tannins winning. Drink sooner than later.
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6/6/2022 - Pedroel Likes this wine: 94 Points
Oh yeah. Raising the points to 94. This is in such a good place, hitting all the right notes.
11/8/2021 note: Fav of the night at our Walla Walla gathering that included ‘12 Figgins Red. The Figgins was my fav, given 94 points two months ago. Crowd rules the win, I rule the points: 93.
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4/11/2022 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 94 Points
Picked up a few on the secondary market to see if I wanted to join the list
Off the truck and into the decanter —no rest for this cross country traveler, first time to try the Force Majeure
At age 10, this is has lovely texture and mouth feel, seemingly resolved acid, with a nice structural tannic backbone remaining without being intrusive
Spice, fresh cut flowers, bitter chocolate on the nose
Crushed berry fruit mostly blackberry with a touch of intense red berry fruit intense at the front descending nicely from the mid-palate to the rear nice 20 second finish. After an hour in the decanter, this really blossomed with really nice riper red fruits appearing. Crazy great QPR. Not so much at current 2019 pricing.
I think this is better as a food wine, and frankly I think I drank this five years too young. Have a 13 and a 16 that will rest until the age of 15
The verdict: Not joining the list in light of current pricing but will pick up some more on the secondary market when the price is right.
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5/17/2021 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 94 Points
I had this alongside a 2010 O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain. I'm not sure which I liked better. This went really well with both the Sirloin steak and the mutton chop that my group ordered.
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2/28/2020 - FlyPig Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had 1/2 through coravin, finished bottle a week later. Delicious in round two - put on weight, retained fresh/vibrant red fruit bouquet, crisp but well integrated, beautiful showing. I remain conflicted on FM wines - they seem overpriced in their youth, and I’ve struggled to reconcile my experiences with ratings agencies. I stopped my allocation, but they have consistently met expectations with bottle age.
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7/16/2019 - FlyPig Likes this wine: 93 Points
No formal notes (7/4 cookout) good body, vibrant dark red fruit profile, easy to drink. Drink or hold.
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5/4/2019 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 93 Points
Star Wars Day, May the 4th be with you. The wines of Force Majeure (Bobby Van's on Park, NYC): Force Majeure wine dinner at NYC Steakhouse. This was my favorite wine of the night. But as a group, it was only middle of the pack. All the other reds were 2015s and I think the group as a whole likes younger wines. Long finish, nice structure.
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8/5/2018 - Pluecht Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely. Hold.
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7/13/2016 - hdchappy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Should be a blockbuster as all of the elements are there but the tannins are ridiculous right now. Needs at least 4-5 more years in the bottle and could improve by another point or two.
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4/18/2016 - Bauman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent nose with wonderful full body.
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12/2/2015 - bajayngo wrote:
Very young but ultra delicious. Beautiful bouquet of cedar, vanilla, toasted carmel, cherries, reduced blueberries and huckleberries and a wall of tannins. After a few hour decant a bit of loam with all the other notes place. A layered wine that reminded me of the early 2000's Rubicon Estate wines.
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10/22/2015 - hdchappy Likes this wine: 94 Points
This baby is big and bold and the stuffing to age for quite awhile. Recommend a few more years in the cellar or a good 4 hour decant. Can't wait to see how this matures.
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10/6/2015 - El Tej wrote: 93 Points
licorice, cassis, graphite, approachable tannins with a short decant. nice effort
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5/16/2015 - yeti575rider wrote:
Vintage Wines cab tasting. Up against other Napa cabs. One of my least favorites at the highest price point. Needs time to probably show itself. Certainly decent but unable to tell how much better might get. I drink almost no Washington cabs but this isn't the one to necessarily get me to start as don't see the QPR.
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4/18/2015 - garambler wrote: 91 Points
Friends and I tasted this at the 4/18/15 release party. It had a deep, rich, expressive bouquet of smoke, black currant, blueberry, mocha, cocoa and spice aromas. The palate was tight, dry and astringent with flavors that followed the nose.
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