Forge Cellars, Seneca Lake (Finger Lakes, New York) Chardonnay 2021

 After producing some of the Finger Lakes’ best Riesling for over a decade, Forge Cellars maked their first Chardonnay.  The fruit is sourced from 50+ year old Caywood Vineyard vines.  Located on the eastern side of Seneca Lake, the area is locally called the “banana belt” because it is noticeably warmer than anywhere else in the area.  As temperatures cool, Seneca Lake’s deep reservoir acts like a heat sump, giving off warmth and extending the growing season.  The longer season, in turn, enables further ripening of the fruit — a key for Forge Cellars as they are usually the last winery to harvest in the region.  Forge’s light-handed approach, including the use of neutral oak, provides an old-world styled wine that focuses on the fruit, acidity, and integration.  Knowing the winemaking team at Forge, their Chardonnay will only get better as they methodically improve their winemaking vintage after vintage.