Happy Sunday! Well, I finished the last of the leaves today, but by tonight there are even more in the yard, so I guess I know what I'll be doing next weekend! In any case, it's time for my Sunday dinner and a nice glass of wine. Tonight I've opened a bottle from a Washington producer about which I have heard good things, but have never had a chance to try, but fortunately I sourced a few bottles from Wines Till Sold Out. The 2015 Force Majeure Parvata is a blend of Mourvèdre (46%), Syrah (34%) and Grenache (20%) from Red Mountain AVA of Washington. So, let's see how this wine is tasting and whether I made a good pairing choice for my dinner!
The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the heavy hands of Mourvèdre and Syrah in the blend. A gentle swirl and the nose reveals aromas of earthy peat, cured meats with an undertone of a variety of black fruit, from currant to blackberry to cherry, but honestly the aromas are supremely understated in this wine. The first sip packs a wallop, which is not what you would expect based on the subdued aromas, a rush of sweet black fruit, that easily transitions to some notes of vanilla, dark chocolate and a hint of tawny port. The tannins are well integrated for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate as your mind catches up to your palate.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's just a fabulous example of some of the southern Rhone style blends being produced in Washington today. This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty, earthy dishes, from seared duck breast, to braised lamb shank. Tonight, I am taking a very different approach with this wine and enjoying it with a last gasp of summer, barbecued beef back ribs, sriracha slaw and baked beans. Cheers!
