Dense black currant, cigar paper, blackberry preserves. Reduced strawberry, violet oil, dark cherry extract. Impressively intense and monumentally concentrated bursts of dark plum, blueberry pie, and anise liqueur boom with rich yet rugged extravagance as notes of smoldering tobacco, wild sage, menthol, and cedar reveal waves of intriguing natural undertones. Impressions of crushed lavender, dried iris, and potpourri radiate a range of deeply perfumed floral aromas juxtaposed against brooding and foreboding suggestions of basalt, black walnut, iron, and smoke. Well integrated baking spices highlighted by clove, cinnamon, and vanilla emerge to provide dashes of complicating lift before dark roast coffee, ground hazelnut, and baking chocolate impart a final blast of muscular opulence. Immensely layered, serious, and structured on the palate while still extremely youthful and tense; exhibiting both compelling ferocity and astounding finesse within a presentation that will require decades in the cellar to hit its highest peak. Full bodied and robust with powerful tannin cut by booming acidity. This 2017 Estate Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon by Force Majeure Vineyards is an extraordinarily complex and captivating red from Washington State.

Located within the Yakima Valley along a singular southwest-facing slope, Red Mountain is a small but unquestionably mighty appellation that is becoming a hub for much of Washington's most premium Cabernet Sauvignon. This bottling, crafted by Force Majeure Vineyards using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from their Red Mountain estate vineyard, magnificently captures the astounding combination of power and complexity that has catapulted this region to fame. This wine mercilessly gushes a plethora of ripe and heavily extracted dark fruits enhanced by gorgeous herbal tones, deep floral notes, volcanic earthiness, and well integrated oak. While it can be enjoyed now with a sizable decant this is clearly built to age, and if possible should be cellared for 5 years minimum to allow for softening and positive maturation. Simply world class.