Force Majeure 2020 Parabellum Coulee: $54

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Force Majeure)

About:
“Made utilizing meticulously farmed grapes from the estate vineyards on Red Mountain and in the Walla Walla Valley.

Our goal with Parabellum is to produce two beautiful and approachable wines that are reflective of their varieties and terroir, without constraints on blending. These wines will age gracefully for years, yet are crafted with an eye toward more immediate consumption. Parabel-lum provides an opportunity to savor an authentic wine of distinction at a great value.” –Force Majeure

Varietal Composition 58% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 21% Mourvèdre
Appellation Columbia Valley, AVA

Vineyards Red Mountain & Walla Walla estate vineyards
Production Only 600 cases produced

Aging

Fermented in concrete; 18 months in French Oak; 100% free run

Tasting Notes

Force Majeure’s 2020 Parabellum Coulee is a captivating red blend from both Red Mountain and Walla Walla. It consists of 58% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and the rest Mourvèdre. On the nose, notice exotic blue fruits, tobacco, peppery herbs, lavender, and chocolate create an aromatic symphony. On the palate, note medium to full-bodied richness with a supple, layered mouthfeel boasting ripe tannins and no hard edges followed by a gorgeous, satisfying, layered finish.

Food Pairing:

Force Majeure’s 2020 Parabellum Coulee is a captivating red blend from the Columbia Valley. Pair it with some of these foods to enhance your experience: 

1. Roasted Chicken with Grilled Corn: The wine’s impeccable balance of acidity and sweet tannins pairs beautifully with roasted chicken. The grilled corn adds a touch of sweetness and texture.
2. Sharp Kilaree Cheddar Cheese: The wine’s aromas of charred meat, spiced blue plum, and cracked pink peppercorns complement the bold flavors of sharp cheddar. A cheese platter with Kilaree cheddar is a winning combination.

Accolades:

“The 2020 Parabellum Coulee comes from both Red Mountain and Walla Walla, and is 58% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and the rest Mourvèdre. Exotic blue fruits, tobacco, peppery herbs, lavender, and chocolate notes all define the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a great texture, ripe tannins, and no hard edges. It’s one seamless, sexy wine in the making.”

–93-96 points – Jeb Dunnuck

“This striking GSM blend of 58% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 21% Mourvèdre delivers on all cylinders and showcases a dark cherry and purple core with a neon purple rim in the glass. Intoxicating on the nose – think aromas of charred meat, spiced blue plum, cracked pink peppercorns, purple rose, and crushed Spanish olives. It’s impeccably balanced with perfect levels of acidity paired with crunchy but sweet tannins and a gorgeous mouthwatering peppery, meaty, and blue-fruit finish. Better in 2024 and then enjoy over the next 12-15 years. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.”

–97 Points, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

About Force Majeure: Straight from them to you!

“One of the top estates in Washington.” – Jeb Dunnuck

“Force Majeure is an ultra-premium winery located in the Walla Walla Valley, specializing in estate-grown, single-vineyard Bordeaux and Rhône-varietal wines. Our wines are meticulously crafted by former Bryant Family Vineyard Winemaker Todd Alexander. From its inception, Force Majeure has been defined by unwavering commitment to outstanding viticulture and exemplary winemaking. Our original estate vineyard is located in the famous Red Mountain AVA and we have added two new vineyard sites over the past couple of years in the Walla Walla Valley. Our estate vineyards are painstakingly farmed by a stellar team.

‘Force Majeure’ describes the relentless, powerful elements of Nature that form the terroir of our vineyard. It also identifies the “unstoppable force” initiated when the highest level of viticulture is combined with incredible winemaking talent.”

Source: https://forcemajeurevineyards.com/wp/

Top Source Walla Walla Syrah 2020: $54

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the winery)

Origin
Volcanic and basalt stony soils from two different organically and sustainably farmed vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley

Vinification
Hand harvested and fermented with 50% whole clusters in stainless steel and concrete tanks depending on the lot. Extraction via both punching down and pumping over during 2 week long fermentations. The wine was aged for 20 months in 10% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Varietal Composition 100% Syrah
Appellation Walla Walla Valley AVA
Farming Practices   Practicing organic/Sustainable farming
Aging 20 months in French oak, 10% new

Cellar Aging: 8-10 years or drink now

Tasting Notes

Rich, dark fruits enveloped in a beautiful bouquet of earthy, savory aromas. A full-bodied, multi-layered palate of black pepper, baking spices, bacon, black olives and dark plum combined with velvety tannins and a long finish. 

Food Pairing

Pair it with grilled meats, poultry, lamb, hearty stews, or charcuterie for a fantastic dining experience.

Accolades

96 Points, “Editors’ Choice” – Wine Enthusiast
“Blackberries and violets are only a part of this aromatic circus. Damp cedar bark, wet slate and meaty seared steak aromas are showstoppers. Lighter bodied, the wine’s viscous texture allows flavors of black cherries, black olives, grilled portobello mushroom and clove to slide across the palate. Savory bliss.” -MA, 9/1/23

93 Points – Jeb Dunnuck93 Points – Vinous

“The 2020 Syrah Walla Walla Valley evolves in the glass with a burst of smoked meats and peppercorns giving way to musky black currants. This washes across the palate with juicy red fruits complicated by savory spice as a coating of saline minerals mounts toward the close. This finishes energetic yet grippy as residual acids keep the mouth watering for more. The 2020 is almost too easy to drink yet wonderfully balanced as well.” -EG, May/2023

About Top Source & Meredith Hyslop

“My start in the wine business began in Walla Walla, Washington, a region that was also getting its own  start as a wine grape producing region. After a 12 year hiatus in the Languedoc-Roussillon, where I lived and worked learning about how  vineyards are cultivated in an equally, similar growing climate, I decided it was time to craft my own wine from the Columbia Valley, a beautiful, red blend of Syrah and Grenache, some of my favorite grape varietals. TOP SOURCE is born!” –Meredith Hyslop

Source: https://www.sapere-originis.com/story;  https://holidaywinecellar.com/top-source-2020-walla-walla-valley-syrah/