2013 Force Majeure Collaboration Series VI Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

I was also able to taste one of the last Collaboration Series releases, which is aging beautifully. Made by James Mantone (of Syncline), the 2013 Collaboration Series VI checks in as a blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah, all of which is from the terrific Ciel du Cheval vineyard on Red Mountain, with the fruit farmed by Ryan Johnson. It offers a beautiful perfume of black cherries, herbes de Provence, peppered meats, and white pepper. Deep, medium to full-bodied, seamless and elegant, with juicy acidity and a great finish, it’s drinking great today but will certainly continue evolving nicely for another decade. Now focusing almost exclusively on their Red Mountain estate vineyards, Force Majeure is making some of the most compelling wines in Washington State, as well as in the United States. Winemaker Todd Alexander (previously at Bryant Family in Napa Valley) came on board in 2014 and today the wines show another level of purity and finesse, all while not sacrificing depth of fruit or texture. Both the 2015s and 2016 are terrific wines, with a small edge going to the 2016s. Trust me, these are gorgeous wines you need to try.