Forge Cellars 'Classique' Dry Riesling, Seneca Lake, New York
Forge Cellars 'Classique' Dry Riesling, Seneca Lake, New York
Call or chat to determine availability
The 2021 Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling stands as the keystone of the winery’s work, capturing the diversity of terroir from southeast Seneca Lake in a single bottle. Drawn from sixteen lieux-dits, each vinified separately before blending, this wine embodies the true spirit of the Finger Lakes while offering a transparent expression of vintage and place.
Product Details:
- Varietal: 100% Riesling
- Alcohol: 12.7% ABV
- Residual Sugar: 0.19% (1.9 g/L)
- Total Acidity: 8.2 g/L
- Soils: Lansing, Hudson, Angola, and Conesus gravelly loam on shale
- Harvest Date: October 10–24, 2021
- Fermentation: Spontaneous, neutral barrel
- Maturation: Neutral vessels, slow indigenous yeast fermentation
- Production Method: Hand-harvested, small-batch, minimal intervention
Sensory Description:
Brilliant and precise, the 2021 Classique offers a tactile and aromatic journey that reflects the richness of Seneca Lake’s geology. On the nose, notes of frangipani, wild herbs, and a touch of cumin lead into a palate that is vibrant and radiant. Its bone-dry structure carries a vivid acidity, balanced by subtle layers of citrus, stone fruit, and a saline minerality drawn from shale soils. The finish is clean, persistent, and refreshing, with a mouthwatering tension that defines Forge’s style.
Winemaker's Background:
Founded by winemaker Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas, together with partners Rick Rainey and Justin Boyette, Forge Cellars has become a benchmark for dry Riesling in the Finger Lakes. Since its first vintage in 2011, the estate has emphasized traditional, handcrafted methods: hand harvesting, spontaneous fermentations, native yeasts, minimal sulfur, and small-batch vinification. Their philosophy is rooted in transparency and authenticity, allowing the vineyards and vintages to speak for themselves. All fruit is sourced from growers committed to sustainable farming, with an emphasis on terroir expression.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its vibrant freshness. This Riesling pairs beautifully with seafood, from oysters and sushi to grilled trout, as well as dishes featuring squash, goat cheese, or lightly spiced Asian cuisine. It is equally rewarding as an aperitif, where its bone-dry precision shines.
The 2021 Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling is more than a flagship, it is an annual celebration of the Finger Lakes, harmonizing terroir, tradition, and vintage into a wine that is at once radiant, precise, and deeply authentic.


-
We ship wine orders over $100 to most states, including Alaska. Verify your address at checkout.
-
Get hand delivery within 20 miles of our LoDo store including most of Denver.
-
Stop by for weekly wine, beer, and spirits tastings and chat with booze experts.
Explore More White Wines
-
Hugo Mendes 'Pitau Branco' White Blend, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal
Vendor:S&M SelectionsRegular price $22.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Chais Saint-Laurent Sancerre 'Les Varennes du Clos' Sauvignon Blanc, Loire Valley, France
Vendor:Natural Wine CompanyRegular price $36.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Piazza Family Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills, California
Vendor:Bluebird Beverage and DistributionRegular price $45.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Les Chais Saint-Laurent Touraine 'Les Jarriers' Sauvignon, Loire, France
Vendor:Natural Wine CompanyRegular price $17.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Joseph Mellot Sincerité Sauvignon Blanc, Loire, France
Vendor:Elite Brands of ColoradoRegular price $22.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Michael Pozzan Special Selection Annabella Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Vendor:Elite Brands of ColoradoRegular price $16.00Regular priceUnit price / per
Wine Dispensary
Wine Club Monthly Membership

Sip-In-Style Vintage Glassware
-
Big Top Peanut Butter Iced Tea Glasses by Hazel-Atlas
Regular price $12.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Patern 2011-10 Fruit Cocktail Glass by Rock Sharpe
Regular price $20.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Stem 14196 Pink Optic Water Goblet by Tiffin Glass Company
Regular price From $12.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Longchamp Clear Champagne Flute by Cristal d'Arques-Durand
Regular price $12.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Xenia Fluted Champagne Glass by Belfor
Regular price $49.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
ARE14 Pilsner Glass by Arcadia
Regular price $10.00Regular priceUnit price / per

We're Here To Help
Our chat tool (on the bottom right, below) is a direct way for you to coordinate with our team. This isn't an AI tool, it's a way for us to chat directly with our customers.
If you want pairing advice, reach out. If you need help with your Wine Club membership, reach out.
Chat with us and we'll help.
Explore Sommelier Selections
-
Foradori 'Lezer' Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Vendor:Natural Wine CompanyRegular price $30.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Dominique Portet Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley, Australia
Vendor:Empire Distributors of CORegular price $62.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Yalumba 'Samuel's Collection' Syrah, Barossa, Australia
Vendor:Classic Beverage CompanyRegular price From $24.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Jansz Premium Sparkling Rose, Tasmania, Australia
Vendor:Classic Beverage CompanyRegular price $33.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Thistledown 'Gorgeous' Grenache, South Australia
Vendor:Classic Beverage CompanyRegular price From $20.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Jules Taylor Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand
Vendor:Harvest Wine CompanyRegular price From $26.00Regular priceUnit price / per
Sign up for The Inside Pour
Our email subscribers are always kept in the know with the best deals. No BS, just great offers.