The 2019 Force Majeure Red Mountain Syrah is a distinguished wine from Washington's Red Mountain sub-region, produced by Force Majeure. This Syrah, with a 14.7% alcohol content, is bottled with a cork closure and presents itself as a full-bodied, red wine.
Jeb Dunnuck provides an insightful review, rating the wine at 95 points. He describes it as having an "earthy, darker, red and black-fruited style" with characteristic Syrah notes such as new leather, ground pepper, chalky mineral, and subtle bacon fat nuances. Dunnuck emphasizes the wine's "incredible sense of minerality" and suggests it will age well, potentially reaching its peak around its 20th birthday.
Wine Enthusiast also offers a laudatory assessment, rating the wine with 95 points. According to Sean P. Sullivan, the wine's aromas include "notes of fractured basalt, red and black fruit, moist earth, fresh herb, and spice." Sullivan highlights the wine's "pillowy soft, textured, ripe, intense dark-fruit flavors" and concludes with a note on its "long, lingering, fruit-filled finish," describing the overall experience as "a wild ride."
Vinous reviewer Owen Bargreen rates the Syrah at 96 points, the highest among the reviews. Bargreen notes that the wine includes 2% Viognier co-fermented and underwent 18% whole-cluster fermentation. He describes the nose as filled with "dark currants, coffee grounds, and violets," along with herbal undertones. The palate is "densely concentrated," showing finesse and layers of black and blue fruits with tar and black licorice tones. Bargreen asserts that this Syrah stands with the finest of Red Mountain.
Wine Spectator's review, by T.F., awards the wine 94 points. The wine is described as "brooding and deeply structured," yet it retains a sense of finesse. T.F. notes flavors of "blackberry and blueberry framed by smoked meat, licorice, and cracked pepper." The reviewer suggests that the wine will be best enjoyed from 2024 through 2031.
Overall, the 2019 Force Majeure Red Mountain Syrah is highly praised by critics for its complexity, structure, and aging potential. With strong accolades from multiple sources, it stands as a testament to the quality and character of Red Mountain Syrah.