Forge Cellars: one of the top producers in the Finger Lakes, NY State
Website: https://www.forgecellars.com/
Forge Cellars is a boutique winery from New York’s Finger Lakes region, and their focus is solely on dry Riesling and Pinot Noir, both of which they do very well.
Rick Rainey run things (he’s the vineyard guy and GM), and has two partners: Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas (joint winemaker) and Justin Boyette (joint winemaker).
Forge source from 16 different vineyards, and their emphasis is on Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes. All of their vineyards but one come from the shores of Seneca.
These wines were tasted on two occasions, once in New York (August 2019) and once in London (February 2020). They are among the very best from this interesting region.
THE WINES
Forge Cellars Classique Riesling 2018 Finger Lakes, New York
This is the wine that is made first, and the single vineyards then come later. 65% barrel fermented. Fresh, dry and linear with lovely intensity to the vibrant citrus fruit, with grainy notes and a salty edge. Very fine. 93/100 (08/19)
Forge Cellars Classique Riesling 2018 Finger Lakes, New York
Concentrated and stony with notes of lime. Some structure on the palate. Hint of pith. Great acid line, in a serious dry style. 92/100 (02/20)
Forge Cellars Classique Riesling 2017 Finger Lakes, New York
Hints of honey and spice under the sweet citrus fruit. Stony with a bit of nuttiness, showing savoury interest. 91/100 (08/19)
Forge Cellars Sunrise Hill Dry Riesling 2018 Finger Lakes, New York
From the west side of Cayuga Lake, clay/loam soils. Beautiful aromatics: complex, textured and floral with spicy citrus and some apricot hints. There’s mandarin, too. Opulent: rich but dry. 93/100 (08/19)
Forge Cellars Breakneck Creek Dry Riesling 2018 Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
Gravel soils. Complex and bold with apple and apricot fruit, as well as spice. Complex and mineral with lovely depth. 94/100 (08/19)
Forge Cellars Freese Dry Riesling 2018 Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
East side of Seneca on heavier shale and loam soils. Very linear with nice spices. Has lovely weight with a mineral core and nice intensity. Expressive and slightly saline with citrus and pear fruit. Taut. 94/100 (08/19)
Forge Cellars Peach Orchard Dry Riesling 2018 Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
Very deep gravel soils. Slight peppery edge to the nose and a palate with nice textured pear and lime fruit. Some spice, too. Lovely purity. 93/100 (08/19)
Forge Cellars Seneca Lake Leidenfrost Vineyard Riesling 2017 Finger Lakes, New York
Nicely textured with pear and apple notes alongside the sweet citrus fruit. Harmonious with nice structured and depth. Serious stuff. 93/100 (08/19)
Forge Cellars Les Alliers Dry Riesling 2012 Finger Lakes, New York
This is the second vintage. Lovely intense wine with some wax and petrol notes. Nutty with spice and herbs. Has density and structure. 92/100 (08/19)
Forge Cellars Pinot Noir 2017 Finger Lakes, New York
13% alcohol. Some whole bunch. Elegant red berry and cherry fruit with a nice herby twist. Sappy and fine with lovely elegance and structure. Very fine. 94/100 (02/20)
Forge Cellars Tango Oaks Pinot Noir 2017 Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
12.5% alcohol. No stems. Pale in colour. Very stylish. Light, textured and elegant with red cherries and a silky mouthfeel. Haunting elegance here, with just a hint of oak. Lovely purity. 93/100 (02/20)
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