Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The Anvil Cabernet is 100% Cabernet. 60% from Pepper Bridge and 40% from Minnick Hills. 100% New French Oak. On the nose, ripe, slightly candied, blackberries, dark cherry, plum, touch of spice, black moist earth and dark fresh flowers. The body is M and the tannins are M+. The fruits are deliciously ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black & raspberries. cigar, leather, crushed rocks, dark chocolate chalky saline minerals, spice, round nice acidity and a beautiful round fruit driven finish. Photos of; the tasting bar, Forgeron fruit sourced Vineyard, Marie Eve with her husband Gilles who is the Wine Director at Long Shadows and the exterior of the tasting room and production. Producer history and notes...Forgeron opened 2001, as the 23rd winery in Walla Walla. Marie-Eve Gilla (Owner/Winemaker) has French roots. She studied viticulture and oenology in Burgundy. The production and tasting room were a stones throw from our hotel. It's located in a turn of the Century blacksmith shop. Blacksmith translates from English to French as Forgeron. I'd never had Marie-Eve's wines until now. I was introduced to the idea by her husband Gilles who is the Wine Director at Long Shadows. However, after enjoying his wines, I was inspired to stop by and check out Marie-Eve's wines. I wasn't disappointed. Most every Walla Walla producer I met considered her wines one of the best kept secrets in Walla Walla. — 8 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.0

Touch of Orange blossoms on the nose and palate hint at slight sweetness of a Muscat addition perhaps. Perfect for grilled spicey light meats and veggies or asian-inspired dishes. — 8 years ago

Leanne M

10

Premier wine — 8 years ago

Mikael Zeitlin

8.9

Nice 2004, that was very pleasant to zip on but also worked well with a nice fillet steak on the bbq and lime inspired fresh summer salad... Still hang nicely in the back of your mouth..
— 9 years ago

Ray S

9.8

Perfect for a 5 year anniversary meal inspired by our travels abroad. So thankful we saved this and didn't drink it immediately. — 9 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.4

Inspired Mourvèdre. @Hardy Wallace you make good things. — 10 years ago

romo

9.3

Inspired by @Mark Morgan and @Hardy Wallace. The herbal tea of white wines. — 10 years ago

Carol Kellett

9.6

a beautiful French-inspired Washington blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and other Bordeaux varietals. — 11 years ago

Stephanie Phaneuf

9.0

Delicious and organic! Inspired me to try other organic wines — 11 years ago

Terah Bajjalieh

9.2

Was great with various seafood and Spanish inspired tapas. Delicious — 12 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.4

Inspired by @Fraser McKinley , I had to open this. Unfortunately I could not find the 1996 ( it is hiding somewhere). Shiraz while no longer my go to choice had always been well represented in my cellar. We all know Shiraz went through a period of polarization , thank you RP, however I have always enjoyed producers who got "it" right. The reality is Shiraz will never drink like Burgundy.
Rockford for me is a producer who gets "it". When you pour this into the decanter the color despite its age shimmers a beautiful shade of purple.
On the nose and the palate all the characteristics one comes to expect from a Rockford BP are there: tar, plums, a hint of VA, earth and most importantly well concealed alcohol and structure. It might be in its last year as a teenager but it will remain forever young. — 8 years ago

Karla Alfred

9.6

The nose on this wine is ridiculous. Raspberries and hibiscus up front with a slight warm, woody background. The wine is a light ruby, bright and clean. We enjoyed this with some porch sun and black truffle potato chips. In a few years, it will be a great French-inspired dinner wine. — 8 years ago

with Daniel

Justin S.

9.2

Opened as part of an Asian-inspired dinner. Floral notes. Decided to serve room temp, not cold. Very good. — 8 years ago

with Joe

Amy Axler

9.0

Inspired by Marc Blatt — 9 years ago

Meg

9.1

Each week, my 2.5yr old twins have "homework" which requires picking household items that start with a given letter. This week is "I" (there's no "I" in team, or kicking off many household items that would fit in a paper bag and don't melt!). Anywho, It Inspired me to pop this reasonably priced late harvest (Icewine), which Is sweet, refreshing, and even elegant for a very reasonable price. I also included a DVD of Ice Castles - who doesn't love that movie?!?! That and Splendor in the Grass - they get me every. single. time. — 9 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.4

Apologetically I have forgotten all the lovely details about this wine, but I remember it being fantastic and worth the higher price and allocation tactics. Happily am hanging on to many Latos from this vintage and am so excited about it 👍🏼 obviously inspired by good burgundy...and manages to be very natural, not much dress up is being played here that's for sure. Happily puzzled and surprised. 👊🏼 — 10 years ago

Tim Herrmann

9.3

This wine has inspired me to make some sort of dessert with roasted yellow apples and pears, sweetened with honey, and topped with whipped cream, and I need to figure out the savory-but-oh-so-good smokey element. Or I could just drink it... — 10 years ago

Raymon Carr

9.5

Raymon had this 11 years ago

Greg Eisenman

9.1

Loved this Tavosa Grenache. Squeezed from a Rhone-inspired grape, this wine drinks like a Pinot Noir. — 12 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.2

This Friulian inspired blend is more than just a fancy label. A very conscious and clever winemaking that includes both an extended skin contact, partial new barrels, and to judge by the taste probably som battonage as well. Generous indeed; floral and ripe fruit, pronounced oak influences, a scrumptious viscosity but with enough freshness to carry the wine all the way to the finish line. A very interesting encounter I must say. — 8 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

Carl you inspired me to purchase. Thank you @Carl Fischer Tiny butter, pleasant, good texture with some minerals. — 8 years ago

Sean Herriott

9.1

My #WOTY so far! The wine is classic Rhone goodness, but the provocative conversation that was inspired by this beauty really put it over the top for me. Bravo! — 8 years ago

Kat Hamidi

9.0

Take those Italian varieties and werk y'all. Integrated, easy drinking but thoughtful & well crafted. Channels the Langhe Rosso its inspired by. Happy place. — 8 years ago

Molly Burton

9.5

This cab dominant Bordeaux inspired blend is everything you could want. It's got soft tannins giving you a smooth. Matthews' Claret dominates again! — 9 years ago

Paco Suro

9.2

Love local! A hint of sweetness. Just the right the hops. — 9 years ago

Scott Stewart

9.0

I'm always inspired by this wine... — 10 years ago

Jeremy Noye

CEO Morrell & Company

9.2

04 bricco boschis just in a great spot! Juicy floral fresh lively and elegant. Couldn't ask for more. Inspired to open based on listening to @Levi Dalton latest interview with @Antonio Galloni — 10 years ago

Beau Carufel

Winemaker/Owner Random Wine Company

9.5

Fantastic purity, so fresh, a wine with love. Hardy makes inspired wines. — 11 years ago

Michael Molesky

9.5

The wine that inspired my trip to Valle de Guadalupe — 11 years ago

Andrew Tucker

10

Limited-run Silver Oak inspired red blend. Reserved for Morgan's Graduation. — 12 years ago