2012 Force Majeure Syrah Force Majeure Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Bright ruby. Blackberry, violet and licorice aromas are complicated by hints of pepper and game. Savory, fine-grained and concentrated, offering well-delineated flavors of dark berries, gunflint, lavender, bitter chocolate and licorice. Quite suave in texture if still a bit clenched on the back end. The wine's dark berry intensity and noteworthy energy suggest that it will evolve gracefully in bottle.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Getting a few “wows” and expletives in the notes, the 2012 Estate Syrah is 100% of the variety and comes from the estate’s new vineyard perched high up on the upper slopes of Red Mountain. Reminding me of a young vintage of Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Turque, it exhibits sensational notes of black raspberry, graphite, cured meats, lavender and toasted spices. These all flow seamlessly to a full-bodied, dense, concentrated and pure 2012 that has building, fine tannin and a blockbuster finish. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar, and enjoy bottle through 2032.