Previously known as Grand Rêve, Force Majeure was founded in 2004 by Paul McBride and Ryan Johnson. Force Majeure pairs some of Washington’s highly acclaimed winemakers with fruit from one of the state’s highly acclaimed vineyards, Ciel du Cheval.
Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery made this wine for Force Majeure. The wine is 100% Viognier: 67% Ciel du Cheval and 33% Force Majeure Vineyard fruit. 75% aged in neutral French oak and 25% aged in stainless steel. 13.5% alcohol with only 80 cases produced.
Light straw in color. The nose on the this wine is mind-blowing: Coconut, honeysuckle, pear, apricot, lemon, beeswax and vanilla. You could literally smell this wine for 30 minutes before taking your first sip. Minerals, stone, honey and more tropical fruit on the palate. The wine has an amazing, racy, bright acidity. I could write a 2nd bottle note on how this wine evolved over the first 90 minutes of being open. The Viognier is the first white wine from Force Majeure but hopefully not the last.
Force Majeure warrants your attention and, as I write this, the winery is still accepting names for their mailing list.
My rating: 93 points
Related post: New to Washington Wine? Check out Sleight of Hand, Gramercy & Force Majeure