2014 Force Majeure Epinette Red
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Tasting notes
(aged in 85% new oak, but winemaker Todd Alexander noted that he cut back on the new oak for the 2015 version): Bright ruby-red. Notes of mint and spices energize the aromas of black raspberry, violet and licorice. Juicy and fine-grained but a bit youthfully imploded, especially for a Merlot-based wine. In a rather powerful style, showing serious chocolatey density to its berry, sage and tobacco flavors; savory in a Bordeaux way. The tannins spread out to saturate the mouth and front teeth. A firmly structured, eminently ageworthy blend with a serious core of supporting fruit.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
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I loved the 2014 Épinette from barrel, and it doesn't disappoint from bottle. Checking in as a blend of 58% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 80% new French oak, it comes from the lower slopes of the estate vineyard where the soils are deeper and slightly richer. Todd commented that the cuvee was inspired by the wines of St. Emilion and Pomerol, and he's certainly succeeded, as this wine is a deep ringer for a top St. Emilion. Giving up loads of ripe, decadent black fruits, chocolate, damp earth, graphite and gravelly mineral notes, it's a big, full-bodied, ripe and heady beauty that has no hard edges, sweet yet present tannin and a hedonistic slant that will drink beautifully for 10-12 years.