2017 Force Majeure Parabellum Coulée
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2017 Parabellum Coulee is a Syrah-heavy blend that includes 14% Mourvèdre. It has a beautiful bouquet of ripe black cherry and blackberry fruits interwoven with notes of lavender, herbes de Provence, and peppery herbs. With medium to full body, a rounded, sumptuous texture, and an overall upfront, soft, already delicious style, it’s ideal for drinking while you give some of the other cuvées here time in the cellar.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Healthy red-ruby. Crushed briary blackberry and blueberry fruit aromas are complicated by licorice, violet, bitter chocolate and espresso. Suave and fine-grained but vibrant too, with its dark berry flavors complemented by hints of game, espresso and cocoa powder. Intense and smooth for a second wine, finishing with firm-edged tannins that avoid dryness. (this is the estate's second wine, made for early drinking; aged in 35% new oak, mostly 228-liter barrels)
A Syrah and Mourvèdre blend, the 2017 Parabellum Coulée was not yet released when I sampled it as an unfinished wine. The wine is approachable now and has a good focus on blackberry, dark plum and red peppercorn, with expressive purple flowers and bitter dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a purity and focus that you rarely find at this price. It ends with notes of smoked carpaccio and fruit compote. Only 168 cases made.