Accolades
Praise for Forgeron Cellars
Critics, Journalists and Oenophiles alike have written about Forgeron Cellars, our wines and our process. From reviews of specific releases with tasting notes to in-depth articles on our winemaking and process, it's all good reading. Click on a broad category below to view press articles and accolades.
Forgeron Cellars
Women Tasting Wine at Jackalope Grill
Chef Tim made some fabulous pairing dishes for Forgeron's Wines. We are all very jelous Anne was the only one who got to attend the dinner for Forgeron.
It's Wine O'Clock Somewhere!
"One of our favorite wines from Forgeron Cellars is the 2003 Vinfinity, an elegant, layered wine that is a beauty."
Judging the age-worthiness of wine is tricky business
"One sure way to find out if a wine has aged well is to drink it. And recent tastings confirm that even Washington whites can hold up."
An Evening with Forgeron Cellars
Thoughtful, elegant, fantastic, and fabulous each wine conveys a focused expression of Washington's terroir.
Walla Walla Washington Vineyard Tours
It is titled Vineyard Tours, but the article covers a good amount of any entertainment winery related.
Interview with Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars
Chicago Pinot 2.0 interviews Marie-Eve about marketing and her recent trip to Chicago.
Forgeron Cellars, a Wine Bloggers Conference highlight!
"...spicy apple and tropical notes co-mingling with a tangy fresh acidity and a nice finish of fruit and lingering minerality."
Winery’s sensory class teaches how to taste
"The whole idea is to show that everybody's threshold is different to different substances,"
One Rich Wine Guy: Forgeron Cellars at Wildhorse
Chardonnay is Marie Eve's flagship wine. She is truly a virtuoso with this grape. The 2007 is what I believe to be one of her best ever.
The Winos - Washington Wine and Charity, Forgeron Cellars
"Why do you think wine and charity go so well together?" Our first winemaker, Marie-Eve Gilla from Forgeron Cellars, took time from her very busy life to share her thoughts.
Up-and-Coming Wine Region, Walla Walla Valley, Washington
"We love Forgeron Cellars" Sunset Magazine
About the Winery & Winemaker
The petite, soft-spoken French ex-pat is a winemaking force to be reckoned with.
Seattle Times. Wine Advisor
Paul Gregutt pays small tribute to Marie-Eve's past winemaking experience.
Washington Wine Report: Forgeron Cellars
The results speak for themselves and demonstrate why Gilla is one of the best winemakers in Walla Walla Valley. NB: Forgeron Cellars 2005 Zinfandel also came in second in our 2008 Reader Survey.
Touring and Tasting Review of Forgeron
Contracting with vineyards strategically located across the Yakima, Columbia, and Walla Walla Valleys, Forgeron Cellars focuses on producing true varietal wines.
Forgeron Tasting Room Review
"Your wines were delicious, your staff hysterical and knowledgeable"
Europe's Own Land Of The Free
Marie-Eve moved to Washington, and washed my share of barrels again at Covey Run, but they promoted me to cellar master, then assistant winemaker, then winemaker in the next four years.
Is Walla Walla "the next Napa Valley"
winemakers Caleb Foster, Chuck Reininger, Brett Isenhower and Marie-Eve Gilla have become the talk of the wine community.
Vintage Walla Walla, 2009
Marie makes the Wine Peep's weekend one to remember
Women of Washington Wine: Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars
Realizing the incredible potential of the wine industry in the Pacific Northwest, she stayed, helped found Forgeron Cellars
RatingBest Small Town
Sunset Magazine: Best Small Towns
Being one of the few wineries mentioned within the article shows us to be a can't miss winery in Walla Walla.
Highlighting Female Winemakers of Washington
As it is, her name has been espoused by those who compare Walla Walla to the next Napa!
Women winemakers of Walla Walla
Women winemakers of Walla Walla are working the dirt and pushing the bar with passion.
Doing it the French way
With little fanfare, she has been developing vineyard sources, fine-tuning her winemaking and making excellent Euro-styled wines.
Warm, Welcoming Walla Walla Valley
You are just as likely to find her tromping through the vineyards as you are to find her sampling the barrels. The hard work shows in the bottle.
I tasted my way through Walla Walla
Forgeron Cellars, one of the strongest of the new wineries, and where chardonnay is the star attraction.
The French Touch Some very nice tipples among the wheat fields
although she is pleased with many of the wines she has made so far, especially a red blend called “Vinfinity”, she prefers to look five or ten years ahead.
Atlantic City Wine Director shares Favorite Washington Wines
Beautiful aromatics with syrah-like fruit along with some currants. Flavors are more berries and some bell peppers.
Marie-Eve at ease
Marie-Eve's work requires her to tap into all of her individual resources-sensitivity, scientific acuity, artistry, ingenuity and business sense.
The Global A-List
Forgeron Cellars named one of the 20 Best New Wineries in the World.
Anvil Red
Wine Press Northwest 07 Review: NV Anvil Red
Three vintages make this blend of Merlot, Cab and Syrah that opens with red fruit, leather and mince meat.
Wine Press Northwest 06 Review: NV Anvil Red
Marie-Eve Gilla makes this wine for special occasions with friends, then prices it for everyday drinking.
Cabernet Sauvignon
RatingQPR 4 out of 5
2009 Cabernet Classis: The Recap
2005 Forgeron Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30, QPR: 4
2004 Forgeron Cellars Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $46, QPR: 5
Rating98
Just Wine Points: Score 98
Rating43
Seattle Times, Top 100 Wines
Rating92
Wine Enthusiast Review: 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 92 "It's beautifully integrated, with the tannins substantial but polished" Paul Gregutt.
RatingSilver Medal
San Francisco Wine International Competition
WineLoversPage.com
"This deep ruby wine gives off intense aromas of black fruit, oak spice and dark chocolate. Full in the mouth with bright acidity."
Wine Squire Review: 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
"You just want to drink it again and again."
RatingSilver Medal
The Tasting Panel reviews 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Structured, rich and juicy with racy acidity; good balance; long and stylish.”
Cabernet-Sauvignon (Champoux)
Full Pull Offer Acrhive for 2004 Champoux Cabernet Sauvignon
"layers of flavors that unfolded over the palate from attack to midpalate to finish; there was black fruit, blue fruit, minerals, coffee, earth, smoke, tropical fruits; and the mouthfeel was liquid silk"
Rating2nd Place
Ray's Boathouse 23rd Annual Retrospective of Northwest Wines Competition and Dinner
Forgeron Cellars' 2004 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon placed 2nd.
Rating#1 Wine of the Year
Washington Wine Report's 2009 Wines of the Year
this was a wine that literally brought all conversation to a stop. From one of Washington's finest vineyards and one of its finest winemakers.
Washington Wine Report: 2009 Reader Survey Wine of the Year
Although not surprised we were excited to have Forgeron Cellars 2004 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon make it to the finals for Wine of the Year.
RatingQPR 5 out of 5
2009 Cabernet Classis: The Recap
2004 Forgeron Cellars Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $46, QPR: 5
2005 Forgeron Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30, QPR: 4
Rating94
Wine Advocate Score 94
Elegantly-styled, layered, complex, and savory, it will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring and drink well through 2024.
King Cabernet
Placed next to many more expensive bottles our 2004 Champoux Cabernet Sauvignon was recomended in the King Cabernet article in the Mid Columbian.
RatingOutstanding
Fab Cabs of the Pacific Northwest
It opens with complex aromas of minerals, pencil shavings, blackberries and pie cherries, followed by elegant flavors of blackberries, red-toned fruit and hints of chocolate.
Wine of the Weekend Award
It is a wine so good one loses all discretion upon first sip. A superb, breathtaking effort by winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla.
Cabernet-Sauvignon (Pepper Bridge)
RatingSilver Medal
North West Wine Summit, Summer 2006
2003 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver Medal Winner.
Chardonnay
Tasting Our Way Through The Kitsap Wine Festival
"There was a good balance between the crispness, or acidity of the wine, and its barrel flavors. This is definitely a food-friendly wine."
2007 Chardonnay on of the 100 Best Washington Wines
"She accomplishes this task masterfully with this delicious wine."
Pike and Western Wine Shop Reviews 2007 Chardonnay
This is a deliciously rich, gluttonous bottle of wine, full of toasty vanilla, creamy butter, baked pears and baked apples. It's soft, it's smooth and eager to please.
Rating90 Points
Wine Spectator 2007 Chardonnay Review
Harvey Steiman review of Forgeron's 2007 Chardonnay - "Bright and refreshing, this shapely wine has a silky texture under its pear, peach and citrus flavors, finishing spicy and buttery. Drink now through 2014"
The Forgeron Cellars 2007 Chardonnay, no Château two by four!
Drink now and often! A very good wine and at a moderate price point. Pairs wonderfully and easily with many food items, but it especially cries out for seafood pairing of sauteed scallops and clams or with a big hearty bowl of chowder and a piece of sourdough bread.
Cuvee Corner Wine Blog
"I really enjoyed the notes of spicy apple and tropical notes co-mingling with a tangy fresh acidity and a nice finish of fruit and a lingering minerality."
More Versatile Chardonnays
This superb Chardonnay is gentle on the pocketbook for a meticulously crafted, barrel-fermented wine that can stand alone or serve as a great accompaniment to rich fish or chicken from the grill.
RatingBest Chardonnay
Best Chardonnay!
"A wine with a soft spiciness and great balance: Spiced apple and pear flavors and a lingering finish round out this delicious wine."
Wine Enthusiast Review: 2006 Chardonnay
"The fruit is solidly anchored in citrus, pear and peach. Lovely balance and fullness throughout." 92 Points
RatingSilver Medal
San Francisco Wine International Competition
Silver Medal - 2006 Forgeron Cellars Chardonnay
Northwest Palette Review: 2004 Chardonnay
Clean, toasty aroma also offers citrus and apple highlights…flavors of toast and apple fruit, complemented by a bright citrus note
Wine Enthusiast Review: 2005 Chardonnay
2005 Chardonnay Columbia Valley, 90 Points
Rating90
The Wine Advocate Review: 2005 Chardonnay
"Supple-textured, it has layers of ripe fruit, crisp acidity, and excellent balance." 90 Points
Seattle Times Review: 2005 Chardonnay
Fresh, ripe citrus and green apple flavors are crisp and penetrating. It is a well-made Washington take on a good village Burgundy.
National Women's Wine Competition
Gold Medal winner National Women’s Wine Competition, March 2007
Seattle Times Review: 2004 Chardonnay
"The Washington wine industry is beginning to speak with a French accent"
Stephen Tanzer
“Melon, stone fruits and lemon peel on the nose and the palate. Supple and spicy in the mouth, with a complicating note of dusty stone."
Wines Northwest Review: 2004 Chardonnay
“Winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla has a wonderful touch with Chardonnay."
Wine Enthusiast Review: 2004 Chardonnay
“Nice citrus and apple flavors wrap into a wine that is fresh, crisp and penetrating” 90 Points
Food & Wine Magazine Review: 2004 Chardonnay
“Finely honed Chardonnay, this combines fine minerals with smooth oak and hefty baked apple and tropical fruit flavors”
Wine Press Northwest Review: 2004 Chardonnay
“Lemon, pear and pineapple greet that palate, backed by wisps of mineral, spice and toast”
Gewurtztraminer
Seattle Weekly Review: 2005 Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer
"A wine that could get you drunk on aromatics alone"
Wines Of Washington Festival
2005 Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer - Gold Medal
Klipsun Merlot
Rating#75
Paul Gregutt Top 100 Wines
Forgeron Cellars Klipsun Merlot found its home at #75 of Paul Gregutt's Top 100 Wines.
RatingBronze Medal
Renaud Society Blind Wine Competition Medal Winner
Forgeron Cellars 2004 Merlot Klipsun Vineyard Red Mountain - Bronze Medal
Rating92
Wine Advocate Score 92
Medium to full-bodied, on the palate it exhibits a smooth texture, excellent depth and grip, plenty of savory fruit, and some incipient complexity.
Merlot
Through the Walla Walla Grape Vine™
"It was dense, with concentrated dark berries and more dark cocoa and spice to follow, while all along leaving a silky mouth feel."
Rating90
Wine Enthusiast Review: 2003 Merlot
Dense and beautifully concentrated, this nicely aged, 100% Merlot opens with round plum, cassis and black cherry fruit
The Wine Advocate Review: 2004 Merlot
it has a plush texture, good depth, and spicy red and black fruits. With light tannins and a long, pure finish,
Northwest Palette Review: 2002 Merlot
“The juicy berry-filled finish would well complement a juicy pan-seared pepper steak”
Tri Cities Herald Review: 2002 Merlot
Incredibly, the palate mirrors the aromatics, focusing on the cherries with a finesse that carries through to a rich and delicious finish. Rated “Outstanding”
Decanter Magazine Review: 2002 Merlot
"The climate aids the stunning quality of Walla Walla Merlot and they’re gaining a reputation for their cellar-worthiness and incredible acidity and balance."
Seattle Times Review: 2001 Merlot
"Beautifully aged, drinking perfectly, this supple, sexy merlot includes Klipsun, Boushey and Conner Lee fruit."
Food & Wine Magazine Review: 2001 Merlot
Forgeron's 2001 Merlot is “an exceptionally smooth mingling of black cherry, vanilla and cocoa flavors.”
Merlot (Boushey)
The Wine Advocate: 2004 Boushey Merlot
2004 Merlot, Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley: 90 Points
National Women's Wine Competition
2004 Boushey Vineyard Merlot - Bronze Medal
Seattle Times "Top 100 Washington Wines"
2004 Boushey Vineyard Merlot: Ranked 67
Roussanne
Seattlemag.com Review: 2008 Roussanne
Winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla's spicy Roussanne is a very elegant food wine.
Syrah
2005 Syrah on of the 100 Best Washington Wines
"at $30 it's a high-value way to see what makes Boushey bottles so distinctive. Nose is marked by light berries, pepper, and game along with a healthy dose of chocolate and earth."
2005 Columbia Valley Syrah
Wine Review from Chuck Hill: The wine’s color of dark violet-ruby is a clue to the upcoming rich aromas and flavors.
Valentine's Day Tips from the Walla Walla Union Bulletin
"Syrah can complement hearty stews, or grilled and braised meats, and is delicious paired with chocolate"
RatingTop 100
Seattle Times Review: 2003 Syrah
Seattle Times Review: 2003 Syrah
Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 Washington State Wines For 2007, Seattle Times, December 18 2007
Wines Northwest Review: 2003 Syrah
Marie-Eve Gilla worked her magic with Syrah grapes from several vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley and created a wine that shows power with restraint and finishes with impeccable structure.
Wine Enthusiast Review: 2003 Syrah
just the right mix of citrus, pepper, smoke, spice, acid, toast and tannin.
Rating91
Wine Enthusiast Review: 2003 Syrah
This wine has just the right mix of citrus, pepper, smoke, spice, acid, toast and tannin
Seattle Post Intelligencer Review: 2003 Syrah
This is a great wine for the hearty fare we begin craving this time of year.
Seattle Times Review: 2003 Syrah
Pure syrah, fragrant and loaded with spice, this has a lovely mix of citrus, pepper, smoke, spice, acid, toast and tannin
Washington Ceo Magazine Review: 2003 Syrah
Best of Washington Wines 2007
Wine Lover
This is a lush, fruity wine with soft tannins. Nice meaty aromas and flavors are augmented by blackberries and blueberries, finishing seamlessly.
Dallas Morning News Review: 2002 Syrah
2002 Columbia Valley Syrah: Silver Medal
Wine Review Online Review: 2002 Syrah
This extremely impressive wine packs a real punch, with very deep flavors based on dark fruit notes.
Sante Magazine Review: 2002 Syrah
“Elegant and full bodied with aromas of rich red and black fruit, toasty oak, vanilla and coconut plus lush flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate.”
San Francisco Chronicle Review: 2002 Syrah
“Tasty nose with smoky meat, earth and mineral notes: blackberry, plum, licorice, dried herb and spice flavors. Finishes with sweet vanilla oak and firm acidity”
Syrah (Boushey)
RatingGold Medal
2004 Boushey Syrah gets a Sexy Syrah Gold at Salty's
The 2004 Boushey Syrah received a Gold medal in the 100% Syrah category. 40 Northwest Wineries all showing off their best Syrahs to be tasted by 20 hand picked Judges, and of course the many people attending the event.
Red Wines Scoring between 9 - 9.5
Rating3rd place overall of 51
8th Annual Sexy Syrah, Medal Winner!
The 2004 Boushey Syrah does a wonderful job of showing what this vineyard can do with syrah.
Vinfinity
Local Columnist Review: 2002 Vinfinity
Marie-Eve’s passion brings to the consumer a wonderful plushy red wine laden with millions of chocolate ribbons dripping in spice and berries – definitely a wine to watch for!
Northwest Palette Review: 2002 Vinfinity
a spicy, toasty nose, a palate bursting with black cherry fruit, and a lingering, balanced finish.
RatingRecommended
Wine Press Northwest Review: 2002 Vinfinity
“This blend of Cab, Merlot and Syrah offers dusty cherries and strawberry-rhubarb notes. Try with duck confit or Beef Bourguignon.”
RatingSilver Medal
Northwest Wine Summit Review: 2002 Vinfinity
Northwest Wine Summit, Summer 2006
RatingRecommended
Wine Press Northwest Review: 2001 Vinfinity
“Intense nose of blackberries, cassis and notes of licorice. Focused and cuts an almost laser-like line across the palate”
Waldeaux Smithie
Wino Magazine Online
"Yum, juicy, thick, tasty, value" Dave Bender
Rating87 Points average over 7 reviews
Cellar Tracker Review
87 points: Great house wine from Forgeron Cellars. medium body, tastes of dark cherry, spice and medium tannins.
RatingBest Bordeaux - Style Red Blend
Best Bordeaux-Style Red Blend
An excellent value, this is full of plum and deep cherry flavors and shows fresh acidity. All this is set against a backbone of soft tannins.
Seattle Metropolitan Review: NV Waldeaux Smithie
This beauty shows what good winemakers can do when they have the flexibility to blend many grape varieties from distinct vintages into one bottle.
Walldette
Paul Gregutt Wine of the Week - Walldette
"The snappy fruit reaches from green apple into light tropical, and there is even a lick of butterscotch in the refreshing finish."
Zinfandel
2006 Zinfandel Review by Chuck Hill
"...lip-smacking black cherry, blackberry, plummy, ripe fig, raisiny contributions. Full tilt wines require full tilt foods..."
The Spokesman Review: Washington Zins make a Splash
For the first time it's made as a pure varietal and the mix of vineyard sources, from the Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, and Walla Walla Valley AVAs, shows just how much interest there now is in growing the grape. The 2006, which I tasted out of the barrel, is even better.
Wines Northwest: Wines of the Week
Look for aromas of blackberry, anise, baking spice and pepper. Flavors of ripe cherry and toasty oak frame the palate and make for a lip-smacking time at the dinner table.
Spring Release Weekend, 2009
"...the 2004 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet was simply transcendent, a wine so good that it literally brought all conversation to a stop."
Zinfandels with Zing!
Some of the best zinfandels I have tasted recently came — rather surprisingly — not from California but from Washington.
RatingOutstanding
Wine Press Northwest Review: 2005 Zinfandel
She has been producing Zin for Forgeron since 2002, and this is her finest effort to date.
Wine Press Northwest Review: 2005 Zinfandel
Marie-Eve has been producing Zin for Forgeron since 2002, and this is her finest effort to date.
Esquin Review: 2005 Zinfandel
One look at this amazing dark plum color in your glass and you will know this is going to be exquisite.
Wines Northwest Review: 2004 Zinfandel
...classic synthesis of varietals with jammy blackberry and pepper (Zinfandel) melding with anise and blueberry (Syrah), all wrapped in a toasty swaddling of French and American oak.”
Dallas Morning News Review: 2002 Zinfandel
Dallas Morning News, March 2005