Forge Cellars 'Classique' Dry Riesling, Seneca Lake, New York

The 2021 Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling stands as the keystone of the winery’s work, capturing the diversity of terroir from southeast Seneca Lake in a single bottle. Drawn from sixteen lieux-dits, each vinified separately before blending, this wine embodies the true spirit of the Finger Lakes while offering a transparent expression of vintage and place.

Product Details:

• Varietal: 100% Riesling
• Alcohol: 12.7% ABV
• Residual Sugar: 0.19% (1.9 g/L)
• Total Acidity: 8.2 g/L
• Soils: Lansing, Hudson, Angola, and Conesus gravelly loam on shale
• Harvest Date: October 10–24, 2021
• Fermentation: Spontaneous, neutral barrel
• Maturation: Neutral vessels, slow indigenous yeast fermentation
• Production Method: Hand-harvested, small-batch, minimal intervention

Sensory Description:

Brilliant and precise, the 2021 Classique offers a tactile and aromatic journey that reflects the richness of Seneca Lake’s geology. On the nose, notes of frangipani, wild herbs, and a touch of cumin lead into a palate that is vibrant and radiant. Its bone-dry structure carries a vivid acidity, balanced by subtle layers of citrus, stone fruit, and a saline minerality drawn from shale soils. The finish is clean, persistent, and refreshing, with a mouthwatering tension that defines Forge’s style.

Winemaker's Background:

Founded by winemaker Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas, together with partners Rick Rainey and Justin Boyette, Forge Cellars has become a benchmark for dry Riesling in the Finger Lakes. Since its first vintage in 2011, the estate has emphasized traditional, handcrafted methods: hand harvesting, spontaneous fermentations, native yeasts, minimal sulfur, and small-batch vinification. Their philosophy is rooted in transparency and authenticity, allowing the vineyards and vintages to speak for themselves. All fruit is sourced from growers committed to sustainable farming, with an emphasis on terroir expression.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its vibrant freshness. This Riesling pairs beautifully with seafood, from oysters and sushi to grilled trout, as well as dishes featuring squash, goat cheese, or lightly spiced Asian cuisine. It is equally rewarding as an aperitif, where its bone-dry precision shines.

The 2021 Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling is more than a flagship, it is an annual celebration of the Finger Lakes, harmonizing terroir, tradition, and vintage into a wine that is at once radiant, precise, and deeply authentic.