Force Majeure, Parabellum Alluvio, Red Mountain, Washington, 2021 (Highly Recommended)

Overview of the Wine
Parvata means “mountain” in sanskrit, and is the name for our southern Rhône-inspired blend, grown mostly in the sandy, loamy soils of the lower section of our Red Mountain vineyard, which bring to the wine a good degree of finesse and high-toned aromatic notes, white pepper, dried herbs and grapefruit peel.

Force Majeure is an ultra-premium winery located in the Walla Walla Valley, specializing in estate-grown, single-vineyard Bordeaux and Rhône-varietal wines. 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.

Our wines are produced in small quantities and are available via mailing list, as well as through a few select retailers and finer restaurants. We invite you to add your name to our mailing list to receive upcoming wine allocation offers. Wines are typically released two to three times per year.

We proudly continue the tradition and pursuit of producing top-quality, hand-crafted wines that are true and ultimate expressions of their terroir.

Winemaker
Todd Alexander

Grape / Blend
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot

Origin
Red Mountain, Washington 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Made utilizing meticulously farmed grapes from the estate vineyards on Red Mountain and in the Walla Walla Valley, these wines receive the same care and attention in both winemaking and viticulture as the upper-tier Force Majeure wines. 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. Parabellum provides an opportunity to savor an authentic wine of distinction at a great value.

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
What can be thought of as the second wine of the flagship Bordeaux releases, the 2021 Parabellum Alluvio is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. It reveals a ruby/plum hue as well as savory, complex notes of red and black fruits, spicy oak, wild sage, and scorched earth. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful on the palate, it brings beautiful fruit, lots of tannins, and outstanding length. It needs a decant if drinking any time soon and will ideally be given 2-4 years of bottle age. It will drink nicely through 2041.

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
A field of lavender opens up with the first sniff of the glass. Then aromas of blackberries and wet pavement after a warm rain make you momentarily forget the world. Mildly chewy tannins offer ample support for bowls of blueberries, dark chocolate gelato and traces of anise and peppery rosemary. 

93 Points - Vinous
The 2021 PARABELLUM Alluvio entices with an array of sweet spices, violet pastille, incense, and dried black cherries. Cool-toned and round, it washes across the palate with ease, supple and pliant. It showcases sleek red berry fruits and hints of vanilla oak. The 2021 leaves the senses reeling, structured yet fresh with a dark chocolate resonance that lingers long. 

92 Points - James Suckling
Expressive nose of rosemary stems, dark chocolate and dark cherries. Touch of sweet tobacco, too. It’s full-bodied with nicely rounded tannins, excellent structure and a chocolatey finish. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 28% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 9% petit verdot. Drink now or hold.

Product size: 750ml