Force Majeure

Èpinette Red Mountain Merlot Blend

9.17 ratings
9.21 pro ratings
Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Merlot Blend
Top Notes For
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Dark nose with dark chocolate, a touch leafy, black currants, and dark gravel. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Dark and ripe with bitter dark cocoa, black currants, damp earthiness and crushed granite. Long and lingering finish. Tons of potential but needs some time to simmer down. Drink from 2019 till 2029. (92+)


2014 is the first vintage since Force Majeure Vineyards decided to discontinue their 'Collaboration Series' line of wines in the 2013 vintage. Now all the wines are made by Todd Alexander. The name Épinette means three different things that fit the wine perfectly. First is the avenue in Libourne that leads to Pomeral and St. Émilion - perfect for the inspiration behind the bottle. Secondly it is an instrument that is similar to a piano - which produces beautiful sounds like this beautiful wine. Lastly it is a word for pine wood - perfect for being in Washington State. The Épinette is Force Majeure's Right Bank Bordeaux inspired bottling made up of 58% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot all from the estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak and only 240 cases produced.

Sample provided by the estate. Retail price is $95.00.

Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Dark nose with dark chocolate, a touch leafy, black currants, and dark gravel. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Dark and ripe with bitter dark cocoa, black currants, damp earthiness and crushed granite. Long and lingering finish. Tons of potential but needs some time to simmer down. Drink from 2019 till 2029. (92+)


2014 is the first vintage since Force Majeure Vineyards decided to discontinue their 'Collaboration Series' line of wines in the 2013 vintage. Now all the wines are made by Todd Alexander. The name Épinette means three different things that fit the wine perfectly. First is the avenue in Libourne that leads to Pomeral and St. Émilion - perfect for the inspiration behind the bottle. Secondly it is an instrument that is similar to a piano - which produces beautiful sounds like this beautiful wine. Lastly it is a word for pine wood - perfect for being in Washington State. The Épinette is Force Majeure's Right Bank Bordeaux inspired bottling made up of 58% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot all from the estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak and only 240 cases produced.

Sample provided by the estate. Retail price is $95.00.

Jan 24th, 2018
John Gallo

Aromatic, honest, smooth for 6 years, dry. Paid $180 for the bottle at La Tour.

Aromatic, honest, smooth for 6 years, dry. Paid $180 for the bottle at La Tour.

Mar 18th, 2021
Hugh O'Riordan

Delicious wine from. Great producer

Delicious wine from. Great producer

Feb 23rd, 2018
Hugh O'Riordan

A wonderful blend. Merlot dominant. Sweet tannins , complex flavors. Lots of dark fruit . This will age!!

A wonderful blend. Merlot dominant. Sweet tannins , complex flavors. Lots of dark fruit . This will age!!

Nov 4th, 2017
Justin Cykler

This FM right-bank red blend is young and delicious (nor classified yet by Delectable). Available in August 2017.

This FM right-bank red blend is young and delicious (nor classified yet by Delectable). Available in August 2017.

Mar 31st, 2017
Adrienne Leistner

Adrienne had this a year ago

Adrienne had this a year ago

Apr 12th, 2023
Bob Boyle

Bob had this 3 years ago

Bob had this 3 years ago

Jun 26th, 2021