Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley
2015 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Full-bodied, smooth, and balanced, you will find this Cabernet is genuine and age-worthy, a result of patience and restraint used in the vineyard and our winemaking process. In the glass you are greeted by scents of cola, clove, and black currant. The full mouthfeel is extracted, rich, and framed by thick tannins and elegant layers of blackberry, chocolate, spice, and ripe cherry. A must serve with a big, juicy steak or a burger with blue cheese.
www.greatnorthwestwine.com
2016 ANVIL Syrah
Yakima Valley
95
2016 ANVIL Syrah, Boushey Vineyard
The Boushey Vineyard, a highly regarded site for this variety, sits on fractured basalt, silt loam soils and windblown loess, with elevations up to 1400 feet. Aromas of black pepper, crushed lavender and boysenberry are striking. The luxurious, satin mouthfeel; is spiced with cinnamon cherries and ripe plum. Espresso, soy sauce and black pepper continues to energize with high-toned acidity, while licorice coats the tongue on the lengthy finish. - The Tasting Panel
www.tastingpanelmag.com
2012 ANVIL Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley
94
The greatest wine I’ve tasted from this estate, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Anvil checks in as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was raised in new French oak barrels. It’s a big, rich, decadently styled effort that offers beautiful red and black currants, cassis, underbrush, graphite and hints of wild herbs in a full-bodied, pure, layered and textured package that never comes across as heavy or cumbersome.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2013 ANVIL Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
94
An impeccably balanced beauty based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot from vines planted in 1988, the 2013 Anvil gives up notes of black currants, scorched earth and coffee beans. Rich, full-bodied, impressively concentrated and with killer purity, count me as a fan, and it will drink well for 10-15 years (2017 - 2033).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2016 ANVIL Syrah
Yakima Valley
94
2016 Syrah, Boushey Vineyard
Coming from the Boushey Vineyard in Yakima Valley and brought up in 44% new French oak, the 2016 Syrah Anvil Boushey Vineyard reveals a vivid purple color to go with beautiful notes of blueberries, scorched earth, graphite, and ground pepper. With subtle background oak, medium to full body, and ripe tannins, it offers more purity and elegance than the Façon Rouge release, will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink nicely for 7-8 years. -Jeb Dunnuck
www.jebdunnuck.com
2009 ANVIL Red Blend
Columbia Valley
93
Aged 33 months in 64% new French oak & a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot & 20% Petit Verdot that’s from Pepper Bridge, Dionysus & Boushey Vineyards...a classy effort that has herb-laced black fruits, tobacco, lead pencil & chocolate-like aromas all emerging from the glass. Full-bodied, polished & supple, with a seamless texture that carries integrated acidity & ripe tannin, it’s a knockout [2009] blend that will easily drink well for over a decade. Drink now-2025+.
RobertParker.com
2012 ANVIL Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley
92
Coming from one of the strongest vintages of the last decade and with a full five years in bottle, this blend of Pepper Bridge (60%) and Minnick Hills fruit brings aromas of smoke, barrel spice, cranberry, cherry and dark berry. The dark-fruit flavors are rich, luscious and palate coating. It brings a sense of hedonism and balance that is impossible to ignore.
Wine Enthusiast
2012 ANVIL Malbec
Wahluke Slope
92
“A brilliant Malbec, the 2012 Anvil (100% Malbec) offers lots of plum, black cherry, violets, creamy licorice and hints of vanilla to go with a full-bodied, fruit loaded, yet still balanced and classy profile, as well as a heady finish. This is a decidedly pedal-to-the-metal 2012 that won’t appeal to those craving delicate aromas and flavors, yet has tons of charm and is a joy to drink. Drink 2016-2024."
June 2015
2014 ANVIL Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
92
The 100% Merlot from Minnick Hills Vineyard spent a full 30 months in new French oak. Deep purple in color with a big, unctuous bouquet of black currants, graphite, and chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, rounded, sweet tannin, a big mid-palate, and a great finish. Ripe, sexy, and ready to go, drink it over the coming 7-8 years.
April 2018
2014 Façon Rouge
Columbia Valley
92
The 2014 Facon Rouge checks in as a blend of 58% Syrah, 26% Mourvedre, and 16% Grenache brought up in mostly neutral barrels. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by lots of ripe black cherry and darker berry fruits, damp earth, and underbrush aromatics. With a rich, full-bodied style, beautiful purity and fine tannin, it’s a terrific wine from Marie-Eve Gilla. It should keep for 7-8 years, if not longer.
April 2018
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
91
The 2012 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is also outstanding, yet will require short-term cellaring to come around. Incorporating 10% Petit Verdot, it has lots of chocolate, licorice, roasted herbs and dark fruits to go with a full-bodied, young and concentrated feel on the palate. Aged 18 months in French oak (33% new), give it 2-3 years and drink bottles through 2027.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2013 Façon Rouge
Columbia Valley
91
Another terrific wine from proprietress Marie-Eve Gilla is the 2013 Façon Rouge Red Rhone GSM, which is 48% Syrah, 27% Mourvèdre and 25% Grenache, harvested all in October, that spent 16 months in one- to three-year-old barrels. Its healthy ruby/purple color is followed by lots of Syrah notes of olive, peppery herbs, dark fruits and some meatiness. These flow to a medium to full-bodied, pure, impeccably made 2013 that has beautiful intensity and length. Drink it anytime over the coming 7-8 years. These rock solid releases are made by Burgundy-trained, Marie-Eve Gilla, who created this estate in 2001.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2013 Façon Rouge
Columbia Valley
91
This wine is just under half Syrah with the balance near equally split between Mourvèdre and Grenache. Peppery spices and sappy dark-fruit aromas are followed by juicy dark-fruit flavors that persist. It shows a very pretty styling.
Wine Enthusiast
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley
91
Leafy herbs, earth, black currants and hints of toasty oak all emerge from the medium-bodied, fresh and elegant 2013 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Nicely balanced, with fine tannin and notable purity, it's a classic 2013 that should evolve nicely for 5-7 years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley
91
The aromas are light, with notes of garden herb, pencil lead, barrel spice and dark fruit that are not yet ready to fully reveal their potential. The palate brings considerably more generosity, with lithe black-fruit flavors backed by fine-grained tannins. It's a very pretty expression of the variety.
Wine Enthusiast
2013 Merlot
Columbia Valley
91
This combines Merlot from Minnick Hills and Birch Creek vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and Candy Mountain in the larger Columbia Valley with smaller amounts of Malbec from StoneTree and Petit Verdot from Dionysus. It's generous in aroma, with plentiful coffee, raspberry, bittersweet chocolate, flower and graphite notes. The palate displays a lot of elegance, with tart acidity providing support. It's a very pretty expression of the variety that should show especially well at the dinner table.
Wine Enthusiast
2014 Façon Rouge
Columbia Valley
91
Editor's Choice: This blend of 58% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre and 16% Grenache hails from Boushey and Heart of the Hill vineyards. Subdued out of the gate, it offers raspberry, white pepper, herb, cherry pit and marionberry aromas as it opens. The flavors are graceful, pretty and balanced.
Wine Enthusiast
2016 Façon Rouge
Walla Walla Valley
91
2016 Façon Rouge Syrah, Columbia Valley
Made from 100% Syrah, the 2016 Façon Rouge is a rich, ripe effort that gives up lots of smoked black fruits, asphalt, and licorice aromas, medium to full body, ripe, present tannins, and a good finish. It’s a big mouthful of smoky black fruit and best enjoyed over the coming 4-6 years.
www.jebdunnuck.com
2018 Blacksmith Blanc
Yakima Valley
91
A handy array of fresh peaches and apricots leads to a smoothly juicy palate with a fresh and fleshy edge. The balance is good and some nice tannins smooth the finish out nice and even. 58% Viognier and 42% Roussanne. Drink now. Screw cap.
- James Suckling
jamessuckling.com
Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley
91
The 2015 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is “Bold, ripe cab with a rich serving of sweetly spicy oak, framing the ripe plums and blackberries. Sustained vanilla through the finish. Drink over the next six years.”
- James Suckling
jamessuckling.com
2017 Blacksmith Rouge
Yakima Valley
91
2017 Blacksmith Blanc, Columbia Valley - "This blend has a very fresh array of red berries and plums with a gently smoky edge to the palate, which then turns to a pure boysenberry, mulberry and raspberry finish. 37% Grenache, 37% Syrah and 26% Mourvedre. Drink now. Screw cap."
- James Suckling
jamessuckling.com
2013 Mourvèdre
Red Mountain
90
Coming from Red Mountain fruit, the 2013 Mourvedre offers classic, earthy, leathery and spicy characteristics to go with ripe red and black fruits, medium-bodied richness, good acidity and firm tannin. In short, it's a classic, well made Mourvèdre to drink over the coming 7-8 years (drink 2017 - 2025).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2014 ANVIL Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
90
This 100% varietal wine brings graphite, cherry, cassis, vanilla and spice aromas. The palate shows depth and concentration, with rich yet restrained flavors backed by velvety tannins. Give it time to open up.
Wine Enthusiast
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley
This Cabernet offers a deep ruby color and attractive aromas of wild blackberry, cherry and plum, with scents of crushed roses, bayberry, sweet tobacco, cedar, sandalwood, olive and incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with notes of licorice, dark chocolate, French roast and earth. The back picks up macerated berries, roasted nuts, toffee, mocha and moderate oak (35% new), followed by a long, supple, yet structured, ripe tannin finish. (18.5/20)
Review of Washington Wines
2015 Primitivo
Wahluke Slope
This ancient clonal Zinfandel shows a deep ruby color and an intoxicating nose of blackberry, black currant, plum, bayberry, tobacco, violets, cracked pepper and spiced incense. The dark fruit flavors are thick and bold, yet restrained, with notes of licorice, dark cocoa, espresso and Wahluke scorched earth. On the back, a creamy, opulent texture emerges, with sensations of pressed berries, grilled nut meats, kirsch and cassis liqueurs, orange peel and burnt charcoal, followed by a warm (14.4% alcohol) but not hot, lingering spiced ripe tannin finish. (19/20)
Review of Washington Wines
2015 Zinfandel
Horse Heaven Hills
This Zin offers a deep purplish ruby color an intense nose of blackberry, cranberry, cherry, rosebuds, tobacco, brambles, bacon and spiced incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with lush, ripe, yet focused black and red fruits that are infused with licorice, cocoa, dark roast coffee and Horse Heaven scorched earth. The back picks up pressed berries, roasted nuts, mocha and burnt charcoal, followed by a savory, spiced (nutmeg, clove) ripe tannin finish. (18.5/20)
Review of Washington Wines
2014 ANVIL Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
Deep ruby colored, this Merlot possesses an intriguing nose of raspberry, blackberry, Bing cherry, crushed roses, mulberry, tobacco and incense. The medium bodied flavors mirror the aromatics with generous, fleshy, yet focused, dark fruits that are endowed with licorice, Swiss chocolate, French roast and silty minerals. The back reveals sensations of macerated berries, roasted nuts, framboise and kirsch liqueurs, integrated oak (100% new French) and graphite, followed by a lingering, ripe slightly grainy tannin finish. As a fine rendition of Walla Walla Valley Merlot, this gets a plus. 19+/20 points
http://www.reviewofwashingtonwines.com/
2015 Barbera
Columbia Valley
From a variety originating in the Italian Piedmont, this shows a deep purplish ruby color and intense aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, bayberry, black roses, white pepper and incense. On the palate, the wine brims with bright red and blue fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, Toblerone chocolate, Italian roast and silicate. The back picks up macerated berries, roasted hazelnuts, and tart cherries (a trait of Barbera) on the way to a chewy, spice dusted (clove, nutmeg) moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
June 2018
2015 Façon Rouge
Columbia Valley
The red counterpart consists of 58% Syrah, 31% Mourvèdre and 11% Grenache. It shows a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, crushed roses, lavender, smoked meats, tobacco, white pepper and spiced incense. The medium full-bodied flavors are comprised of black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and earth. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured, with notes of pressed berries, toasted almonds, charcoal and a bit of toasty oak, followed by a ripe sweet-dry tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
June 2018
Experience
in Woodinville
My daughter and son-in-law invited us to taste at Forgeron in Woodinville last night, where they are club members. Our tasting included the 2014 Facon Blanc, which we purchased, 2014 Chardonnay, 2013 Merlot, the same year as Cab, and the ‘12 and ‘13 Anvil. I had received the ‘12 Anvil for my last birthday, unopened, so it was nice to taste. I was surprised by the consistency and distinctive excellence across the spectrum we sampled, not typical at most wineries. The staff was very busy last night but nevertheless found time to be personable, attentive, and make us feel welcome.
Experience
in Walla Walla
Our group of 6 had a private tasting on a day the tasting room is closed. Marie came in just to accommodate our out-of-town guests. Following an informative tour we were royally treated to a lovely table setting complete with fruits, nuts, meats and French bread. Forgeron Anvil 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon was the highlight. Thank you Marie-Eve for an outstanding and very personal event.
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