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Review: Forgeron Cellars Vigneron Select 2010 Chardonnay

Impressed again.

I continue to be impressed by the skill of winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. While it is easy to be impressed wine tasting at a winery, the true qualities of a winemaker are most evident at home, when sharing wine with family and home cooked meals.

Forgeron Cellars Vigneron Select 2010 Chardonnay Columbia Valley.

On day one, this wine was an elegant Chardonnay with an endearing golden yellow color, the attack was all racy, spicy, ginger and fresh pastry which followed through the finish. It was balanced, restrained, elegant, and graceful.

By day three this wine blossomed. A floral quality with vanilla was noticeable on the nose, it was fuller in the mouth, with stone fruit, bright on the tongue, creamy on the  edges, and eminently enjoyable with dinner. Tonight I baked a whole cut-up chicken – a simple recipe of salt, pepper, and garlic, half-way through baking I turned the chicken over and added apple cider to the pan. The cider made a wonderful sauce for the finished chicken. I had to run an errand, so I covered the chicken with foil and turned off the oven. When I returned 1.5 hours later, I re-heated the chicken, made fried rice with onion, smoked sausage and two eggs, while my son made the salad. Dinner was delightful with the Forgeron Cellars Vigneron Select 2010 Chardonnay.

Slow down and enjoy a delightful Chardonnay with family, friends and a home cooked meal. This wine has none of the heavy handedness associated with Chardonnay some of you have come to detest (notice that I never needed to use the words “buttery” or “oaky”). It's time to re-visit Chardonnay my friends. Forgeron Cellars Chardonnay. This wine held up extremely well over three days in the refrigerator, drink now or hold for a few more years. Delightful and Recommended.

Release Info:

Vineyards:
56% Weinbau Vineyard ~ Wahluke Slope, close to Mattawa
24% Crawford Vineyard ~ Near Benton City, Yakima Valley
16% Oasis Vineyard ~ Near Benton City, Yakima Valley
4% Grenache Blanc, Boushey Vineyard ~ Near Grandview, Yakima Valley
ABV 14.1%
Closure: Real cork.
Total production: 635 cases
Sample provided by the winery
Retail Price: $25

www.forgeroncellars.com

* For my out of town friends, Forgeron Cellars can ship direct to:
Pacific States: Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
Central States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming.
Alaska and Hawaii.


Cheers!

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