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2016 Force Majeure Vineyards Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

April 2, 2023 - $83

Estimate

RATINGS

99Jeb Dunnuck

...rich, primordial bouquet of crème de cassis, espresso roast, crushed rock, and graphite...a full-bodied, powerful wine that has subtle oak, plenty of sweet tannins, and a huge, layered finish that won't quit. It's the tannin management that's truly spectacular.

93+ The Wine Advocate

Opening with a fresh core of black fruit and minerality on the nose...wafts with blackberry, crème de cassis and dusty purple flowers. Full-bodied in the mouth, the wine is strict and rigid, with a lingering spice through the mid-palate. It continues to show a mineral tension with dusty black fruit, spiced plum and nuanced oak flavors on the long, thoughtful finish.

93Wine Spectator

Powerfully structured, yet refined and rich, offering expressive blackberry, stony mineral and white pepper flavors that build richness toward big but polished tannins.

93Vinous / IWC

...aromas of cassis, black cherry, graphite, licorice pastille, tobacco leaf, mint and herbs, lifted by a violet topnote. Wonderful dense, thick, saline and sweet, showing a very ripe, chewy, slightly chocolatey character...wonderfully savory wine... Finishes very long, with huge, thick, totally ripe, palate-saturating tannins but no hard edges. Shows an almost caramelly Pomerol-like creaminess in the mouth, with its green qualities receding into the background.

92James Suckling

A bold cab with plenty of weight and body. The nose is all about ripe cassis and mulberries with sweetly spiced perfume and the palate has a sweepingly fleshy build in the middle with easygoing, supple tannins to close.

REGION

United States, Washington, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain

Yakima Valley AVA was the first AVA created in Washington State. The valley, a 600,000-acre area in south central Washington, was granted AVA status in 1983. In 1984 Columbia Valley was given AVA status, and Yakima Valley was enclosed within the Columbia Valley AVA. Nevertheless, Yakima Valley remains home to the largest concentration of vineyards and wineries in the state. There are more than 60 wineries and some 16,000 vineyard acres, and nearly 40% of Washington wines are made with Yakima Valley grapes. The most frequently planted grape is Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaking here dates to 1869, when a winemaker from Alsace planted grape vines. Vineyard planting and wine production plodded along slowly until the early 1980s when numerous modern pioneers started making well-reviewed Yakima Valley wines. Some of the state’s newest, most closely watched appellations, including Red Mountain AVA and Horse Heaven Hills AVA, are contained within Yakima Valley.

TYPE

Red Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.

VINTAGE