Founded in 2011 Forge Cellars has quickly become the benchmark producer for bone-dry Riesling in the Finger Lakes and in the United States. The unique cool climate region of the Finger Lakes has helped to define Forge’s dry Riesling as a wine that combines cool climate aromatics of peach and apricot with balanced texture and refreshing acidity, all while maintaining low levels of alcohol. Their Dry Riesling Classique garnered the #31 spot on Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” lists in 2017, and 2020 for the 2015 and 2018 vintages, respectively.

This is the perfect example of how terroir transcends the varietal, and how Riesling can be used as a conduit of site expression. On this site, there is a greater incline and gravel, shale-dominated composition, which tends to yield wines that are a little tense and focus on minerality. The color has golden hues as you it swirls in the glass. The aromas show notes of tropical fruit, pineapple, nectarine and a core of fresh cut lemon. There was a hint of stone and petrol on opening, which quickly dissipated. The flavors are distinctive and straightforward with fruit character, lively acidity and terrific balance that drives through to a slightly off-dry finish. Nicely made and easy to drink. 300 cases were produced.

By Perry Miroballi