2023 Caywood Chardonnay
94 Points - James Suckling
90 Points - Robert Parker
Riesling will always be the heart of Forge, but with the freedom to work as we please, introducing another noble white variety to our repertoire has been exciting. The opportunity to work with some of Charles Fournier’s original Chardonnay plantings was certainly fortuitous. Since the early days, we’ve maintained an openness to the possibility of producing a Chardonnay with the stipulation that all conditions must be perfect: site, clones, age of vines, etc. In our eleventh vintage, the stars aligned.
There is no question that our Caywood Vineyard has a sparkle to it, a standout in our lineup with Grand Cru distinction. With exceptional freshness vis-à-vis herbs such as thyme, basil, wild carrot, this Chardonnay has a skilled ability to translate a sense of depth from mature vines alongside impeccable lift and vibrancy.
vineyard details
East side Seneca Lake - Lodi
Soils: Honeoye silt loam on shale
Elevation: 828 ft.
Year Planted: 1973
Harvest Date: Oct. 12
Spontaneous fermentation in neutral barrel
Alcohol: 12.4% by vol.
Production: 496 cases
2022 Caywood Chardonnay
93 Points - Decanter
2021 Caywood Chardonnay
Recognized as one of 30 top US Chardonnays by Decanter Magazine, May 2023
“I love the interplay of restrained ripeness, cool minerality and delicate oak. Excellent textural complexity on the medium-bodied palate. Long, elegantly structured finish. From some of the oldest vines in the region, planted inn the 1970s.
94 pts.”