Better every year, glad I still have one more - will keep it at least 3-5 years more as it has consistently continued to develop. Great right bank style from WA state that won't be repeated given FM's movement to estate vineyards.
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Dark crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. 72% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Heady nose of ripe fruits, leather and violets. Silky, plush and approachable. Full bodied with loads of upfront fruit. Black currants, tobacco, milk chocolate and herbs on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with resolved tannins. Outstanding Merlot that is ready to drink. Best over the next several years.
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Consumed over 2 days (vacuvined and refrigerated), note from day 2. Appearance: Clear, medium purple. Nose: Clean, medium+ intensity, still developing showing aromas of cedar, spice, sour cherry, black currant, and tobacco. Palate: High acid and tannin, high alcohol, full bodied with pronounced intensity, flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, eucalyptus, and tobacco with long finish. Outstanding overall, still developing - 2-5 years yet, may be a bit over the top for more timid palates.
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interesting clay and putty nose, medium bodied, hits the mouth with flavors of cherry, vanilla, herbal tea, blackberry and licorice, intense, equipped with a spectrum of dark nuances, very engaging, deliciously complex
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Merlot-based blend. Riveting nose of ripe Bing cherry, kirsch, freshly cut cedar and mocha. Lush and velvety, with sweet and mellow tannins and a touch of acidity. Long smooth finish. Went REALLY well with Wagyu beef ribeye at Harbinger. Not as awe-inspiring as the 2009, but a terrific wine nonetheless
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Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV 72% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Sublime nose of black fruits, molten licorice, scorched earth and violets. Full bodied, lush and concentrated. Well balanced. Black cherry, cassis liqueur, currants and camphor on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Outstanding Merlot that has always competed with the top examples of this variety in WA. Aging brilliantly. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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Amazing Merlot heavy blend... 72% Merlot, 16% Cab Sauv, 8% Cab Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Slight VA on the nose, but the nose is so complex and interesting. The palate is pure, unadulterated beauty. Smooth, silky, complex and scintillating, a great example of Washington Merlot. Tons of dark fruit, tannins, and a super long finish. Exceptional wine.
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Very nice. Can still cellar for a couple of years, easily. In short a very enjoyable bottle with a promise to get better. Beautiful deep color. The nose was mildly floral. The pallet reveals boysenberry with a slight acidity that dissipates with aeration.
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Third red of the evening. Deep garnet red. Needs time, slight portiness and whiskey on the nose. Dark fruits and figs too. Tasted blind but reminded us straight away of the 2009 Force Majeure IV we had earlier last year. Moderate tannins (6/10) and full bodied. A little cherry liquor and dark cocoa on the palate. Long finish and the nose is a bit off-putting. This needs time to mellow out.
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Opaque purple in color. 14.8%% ABV. 72% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Showstopping nose of crème de cassis, scorched earth, molten licorice and violets. Rich, plush and hedonistic. Raspberry liqueur, black currants, cassis and smoke on the palate. The finish is long and seamless with silky tannins. Stunning does not do this wine justice. The last and perhaps the best CS IV. Drink over the next decade. $60 at the winery and retail.
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12/25/2022 - team-blackburn wrote: 91 Points
PNP Mild tannins, heavy yet muted fruit. Served with tri-tip.
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12/5/2021 - otomgg Likes this wine: 94 Points
Better every year, glad I still have one more - will keep it at least 3-5 years more as it has consistently continued to develop. Great right bank style from WA state that won't be repeated given FM's movement to estate vineyards.
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11/9/2021 - tomlee wrote: 93 Points
Dark crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. 72% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Heady nose of ripe fruits, leather and violets. Silky, plush and approachable. Full bodied with loads of upfront fruit. Black currants, tobacco, milk chocolate and herbs on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with resolved tannins. Outstanding Merlot that is ready to drink. Best over the next several years.
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1/23/2021 - prasm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consumed over 2 days (vacuvined and refrigerated), note from day 2. Appearance: Clear, medium purple. Nose: Clean, medium+ intensity, still developing showing aromas of cedar, spice, sour cherry, black currant, and tobacco. Palate: High acid and tannin, high alcohol, full bodied with pronounced intensity, flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, eucalyptus, and tobacco with long finish. Outstanding overall, still developing - 2-5 years yet, may be a bit over the top for more timid palates.
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11/20/2020 - whits wrote: 91 Points
interesting clay and putty nose, medium bodied, hits the mouth with flavors of cherry, vanilla, herbal tea, blackberry and licorice, intense, equipped with a spectrum of dark nuances, very engaging, deliciously complex
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7/24/2020 - mojotojo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Merlot-based blend. Riveting nose of ripe Bing cherry, kirsch, freshly cut cedar and mocha. Lush and velvety, with sweet and mellow tannins and a touch of acidity. Long smooth finish. Went REALLY well with Wagyu beef ribeye at Harbinger. Not as awe-inspiring as the 2009, but a terrific wine nonetheless
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6/8/2020 - tomlee wrote: 94 Points
Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV 72% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Sublime nose of black fruits, molten licorice, scorched earth and violets. Full bodied, lush and concentrated. Well balanced. Black cherry, cassis liqueur, currants and camphor on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Outstanding Merlot that has always competed with the top examples of this variety in WA. Aging brilliantly. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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5/24/2020 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
No chocolate noted. Liqueur like.
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12/22/2019 - skifree wrote:
Big wine, but not over the top. Lots of black and dark red fruit, hint of black tea, some minerality, some salinity. Enjoyed.
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3/23/2019 - devman wrote: 95 Points
Amazing Merlot heavy blend... 72% Merlot, 16% Cab Sauv, 8% Cab Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Slight VA on the nose, but the nose is so complex and interesting. The palate is pure, unadulterated beauty. Smooth, silky, complex and scintillating, a great example of Washington Merlot. Tons of dark fruit, tannins, and a super long finish. Exceptional wine.
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3/2/2019 - Pondpwr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice. Can still cellar for a couple of years, easily. In short a very enjoyable bottle with a promise to get better.
Beautiful deep color.
The nose was mildly floral.
The pallet reveals boysenberry with a slight acidity that dissipates with aeration.
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12/25/2018 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Big, dense wine, needed 1-2 hours to open
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11/16/2018 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Rich, delicious dark black cherry fruit with cassis, liqueur, and chocolate flavors, excellent structure, ample finish
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12/16/2016 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 91 Points
Third red of the evening. Deep garnet red. Needs time, slight portiness and whiskey on the nose. Dark fruits and figs too. Tasted blind but reminded us straight away of the 2009 Force Majeure IV we had earlier last year. Moderate tannins (6/10) and full bodied. A little cherry liquor and dark cocoa on the palate. Long finish and the nose is a bit off-putting. This needs time to mellow out.
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9/30/2016 - nfurlong Likes this wine: 90 Points
Garnet / brick color; pleasing nose of red pepper, violet and chocolate; palate gave blackcurrant with a bit of smoke. Made in the "Italian style".
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8/13/2016 - jmcmchi Does not like this wine:
To say i was disappointed is an understatement. Claimed to be made in Italian style, the nose carried funky brett notes
Palate was much better, controlled unobtrusive acidity, cherry flavours
It might be enjoyable in a few years, but not now, unless you can turn off the aromatics
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8/11/2016 - tomlee wrote: 97 Points
Opaque purple in color. 14.8%% ABV. 72% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Showstopping nose of crème de cassis, scorched earth, molten licorice and violets. Rich, plush and hedonistic. Raspberry liqueur, black currants, cassis and smoke on the palate. The finish is long and seamless with silky tannins. Stunning does not do this wine justice. The last and perhaps the best CS IV. Drink over the next decade. $60 at the winery and retail.
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