Forge Cellars, one of the leading producers from New York’s Finger Lakes wine region
Website: https://www.forgecellars.com/
Forge Cellars is a boutique winery from New York’s Finger Lakes region.
Rick Rainey run things (he’s the vineyard guy and GM), and is partnered in the venture with Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas (winemaker). Léana Godard is the on-site 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.
Forge Cellars Caywood East Riesling 2020 Finger Lakes, New York State
This is a vineyard on the SE shore of Seneca Lake at 970 ft elevation. Dry and textured with nice depth to the pear and white peach fruit, with lots of weight and fine spices. Shows great balance in a rich, dry style. 93/100
Forge Cellars Caywood Dry Riesling 2020 Finger Lakes, New York State
This is from 1970s plantings closer to the water. Nice intensity of citrus fruit here with a mineral twist to the pear fruit, showing nice depth and also good focus. Precise with a mineral twist to it. Layered. 94/100
Forge Cellars Peach Orchard Riesling 2020 Finger Lakes, New York State
Gravel loams close to the lake on the SE side of Seneca Lake, further south than Caywood. Lovely texture here with a spicy mineral undercurrent to the concentrated fruit, with lime, green apple and pear, as well as spicy detail. 94/100
Forge Cellars Caywood Chardonnay 2021 Finger Lakes, New York State
Nuts, honey and lime with some minerals. Nice depth here. Creamy with good tension, this is a fruit-driven Chardonnay of real interest. 92/100
Forge Cellars Lower Caywood Dry Riesling 2016 Finger Lakes, New York State
Fine spices with lime and apple and honey on the nose. The palate is textured with nice weight to the apple and pear fruit as well as good development, and some mineral characters to the lemon and apples. 94/100
Forge Cellars (Upper Caywood) Wagner Caywood East Dry Riesling 2016 Finger Lakes, New York State
Nuts, honey and spice complement the apple and lemon fruit. Lovely weight here with finesse to the palate. Shows mineral detail and depth. 94/100
Forge Cellars Classique Riesling 2014 Finger Lakes, New York State (magnum)
Lime, honey and nuts on the nose with some melony richness. Such lovely texture on the palate with apple, pear and lime, showing good depth. Fine and expressive, oily and salty, developing well. 94/100
Forge Cellars Willow Cabernet Franc 2021 Finger Lakes, New York State
Nice reduction on the nose. Supple and juicy with lovely red fruits: raspberry and cranberry dominate with some mineral notes and real finesse. Apparently it was a terrible vintage, but the wine has come out really well. 94/100
Older notes can be found here
