Forge Cellars Caywood Vineyard Chardonnay, Seneca Lake, USA 2023

Description

Sourced from historic Chardonnay plantings at Caywood Vineyard on Seneca Lake, Forge Cellars’ 2023 Chardonnay is a vibrant and mineral-driven expression of the Finger Lakes. Aromas of lemon zest, white grapefruit, pear, white flowers, and crushed stone lead into a beautifully textured palate layered with citrus, orchard fruit, and subtle lees complexity. Fermented in neutral oak barrels, the wine balances freshness and depth with remarkable precision, finishing with a long, steely mineral edge. Crafted from some of the region’s oldest Chardonnay vines, this cool-climate Chardonnay combines elegance, tension, and old-vine concentration.

James Suckling 94
“I love the interplay of restrained ripeness, cool minerality and delicate oak. Excellent textural complexity on the medium-bodied palate. Long, elegantly structured finish.”

Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90 

“Barrel-fermented in used 500-liter oak, the 2023 Chardonnay Caywood Vineyard comes from some of Charles Fournier’s 1970s-era plantings, originally intended for sparkling wine. There’s a spicy hint of oak on the nose, along with hints of custard, stone fruit and citrus. In the mouth, the wine is medium-bodied and silky-textured, with a long, elegant finish.” - Joe Czerwinski

Producer Notes

Forge Cellars is recognized for crafting terroir-driven wines from Seneca Lake, focusing on freshness, minerality, and vineyard expression. Caywood Vineyard, originally planted in the early 1970s, is considered one of the historic vineyard sites of the Finger Lakes region.