2019 Anvil by Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon, Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley
93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points, James Suckling
90 Points, Vinous
Old vines produce this supple and sensual Cabernet. Classic in its elegance, this wine is approachable now but built to age. Our Cabernet Sauvignon is always lush, rich and complex. While sometimes a blend, often times a single varietal, it is always the optimal expression of that vintage and always from the most sought-after and reputable vineyards in Washington State.
Cabernet Sauvignon from Dionysus Vineyard is exquisite; from the dominant black cherry profile with hints of oak and blueberry in the background to the hint of structured brightness from the Petit Verdot. The full mouth-feel that is big and thick, with candied blackberry notes that slowly evolve into the soft, velvety finish built on layers of complexity. This vintage will age gracefully through the years.
Dionysus Vineyard
Located on a southwest facing slope in Pasco, Washington that overlooks the Columbia River. Planted in 1988, Dionysus has some of the oldest vines in Washington State. These old vines benefit from an established root system, regulating vigor and allowing the vines to consistently produce rich, dense and generous grapes. Our rows follow the slope towards the southwest, almost 45 degrees off due north, which allows for nearly perfect sun exposure while minimizing over-ripening. As the sun lowers down in the evenings, both sides of the canopy receive evening sun, lending incredible evenness and consistency to the fruit.
Old vine Cabernet Sauvignon has become the remarkable flagship varietal of the Dionysus Vineyard. In 2008, we started sourcing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Block 11 and later experimented with Petit Verdot from Block 13 which adds generous flavors and great texture. We like to do an extended maceration post-fermentation for a total time on skins up to 45 days. During maceration, we fully extract these generous grapes for depth and full flavors.
Vintage Notes
2019 started out like any other, with the potential of an earlier harvest than the previous year. With that expectation we were ready in August to begin to bring in fruit, but the weather around the Walla Walla Valley changed on us coming into the end of August and we experienced a freeze in October. While the temperature change surprised us, it allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and many varietals around Washington truly blossomed.
Specs
Varietal Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Vineyard: Dionysus
Cooperage: 26 months aging in French oak
Aging: 26 months in French oak
Acid: 5.9g/L
pH: 3.80
TA: 5.9g/L
Alcohol: 14.60%
Bottling Date: March 2022
Cases Produced: 250
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x - 2019 Anvil by Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon, Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley
Case:
12x - 2019 Anvil by Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon, Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley
Forgeron Cellars was born out of a quest to produce site-specific wines that illustrate the diversity found amongst Columbia Valley’s different viticultural appellations. Our mission is to produce small-lot, artisan wines that accurately display each vineyard, varietal, and appellation. We believe that much of winemaking occurs in the vineyard and adhere to traditional techniques while utilizing the benefits of modern innovation. Forgeron Cellars is a true urban winery and is located in an old blacksmith building in Walla Walla, Washington. Long established, the winery continues to work with many of the region’s top grape growers to ensure the production of some of the most appealing wines the valley has to offer.
Forgeron Cellars was founded by more than two-dozen local Walla Walla business leaders, many of whom successfully founded and sold Canoe Ridge Winery. The idea was to build a winery in downtown Walla Walla that would help anchor local business and contribute towards the reinvigoration of the downtown area. Their search for an ideal location ended when they came upon an old blacksmith building located at 33 Birch Street, and just two blocks off Main. The building provided the perfect foundation and ultimately influenced the name for the winery - Forgeron is the French word for blacksmith.
After months of renovations, the old blacksmith building was transformed into a cozy tasting room and office, while a new building was constructed for barrel storage and fermentation, and a state-of-the-art crush facility built for processing grapes.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations)
2019 Anvil by Forgeron Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon - $40 = 14.81%
@Mark_L like that the “penalty” isn’t that bad. I am full on reds but will try a small order of this. I live there (Sometimes) and WA wines are great and without the Napa pricing.
Vinous…90 points. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Dionysus Vineyard is notably peppery, with dusty rose and crushed raspberries forming its airy bouquet. This blends silky textures with tart red berry fruits and juicy
acidity to create a display of pleasurable contrasts. Finishing with a mocha tinge and grippy tannins as hints of brown spice fade, the 2019 leaves the mouth watering for more. Drink 2024 - 2028 Eric Guido October 2023
WE…90 points. With the inclusion of 8% Petit Verdot, this medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon possesses a remarkably creamy texture, with bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Its blueberry and ginger aromas are punctuated by the graphite of a Ticonderoga pencil. The wine’s flavors focus on smoked cherries, thyme and a touch of dark chocolate. — Michael Alberty 11/1/23
Suckling…92 points. Aromas of cassis and blueberries with toasted walnuts, black licorice, star anise and chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, velvety and sleek with supple tannins and bright acidity. Ripe and succulent with a flavorful finish. Drink now. 3/23
A blogger, Wine, Food and Fun with the Lumpy One…(?)…The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you’d expect from a Washington Cabernet. A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of warm blackberry, plum, baking spice amid hints of oak in the background. Take a sip and you’re treated to a rush of cool ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that give way to some earthy mineral notes midpalate, before easing into some white pepper notes heading into the finish. The tannins are well structured, providing for a nice base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until you take another sip. Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as the Dionysus Cabernet is a perennial favorite of mine. This wine is ideal for the winter months, as the hearty structure and ripe fruit make it perfect for the hearty dishes we all enjoy this time of year. This wine would pair well with steak, lamb, hearty pasta dishes or rustic risotto. Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared center cut prime ribeye, haricots verts almondine and a big baked potato with all the trimmings. jtryka 12/24/23
Jeb Dunnuck… [on the '18] 92+ points. Deep purple-hued, with a rocking nose of ripe currants, plums, and bright black cherry fruits, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dionysus Vineyard Block 11 is medium to full-bodied and has a ripe, nicely balanced, structured mouthfeel, well-integrated oak, and some classic Cabernet Sauvignon tobacco and cedar notions. Still youthful, this ripe, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will evolve for another 15 years or more. Drink 2023 - 2039 JD 6/14/23
Dunnuck, by JD, 93 points. Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and baking spice notes all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Block 11, a powerful, medium to full-bodied, ripe, sexy Cabernet Sauvignon with quality tannins, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s another wine from this estate that has plenty of up-front appeal (particularly with a decant) yet will evolve gracefully and have a good 15+ years of prime drinking. Drink 2022 -2038. 7/9/22
Good morning Casemates.
I had the pleasure of ratting this last night.
2019 Cabernet from the Dionysus vineyard in Colombia valley.
Opened the bottle after dinner, the pairing wouldn’t have helped it so I left it until after dinner. The bottle is on the heavier side, the wine poured clear, ruby/purple color and great color depth.
On the nose, the wine is plenty youthful, lots of blue and blackberry and a bit of cassis but not overly ripe. A little of vanilla and oak and the alcohol is noticeable.
Tasting the wine, it’s definitely dry, medium to full bodied, good acidity and moderate tannins. I would say it’s pretty well balanced between the fruit, oak, acidity with alcohol sticking out a bit more. Flavors are similar to the nose, the vanilla did come out a little more.
I would pin this somewhere in between a modern cab and an old world style. Nice wine and certainly worth the price being sold here.
@Winedavid59
Ok, sure hope so, but we’re still in the high 90’s this week down here and the route looks similar for Wed/Thur. Hope it makes it before the weekend.
Anvil by Forgeron Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Anvil by Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon, Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley
93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points, James Suckling
90 Points, Vinous
Dionysus Vineyard
Vintage Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$540/Case at Forgeron Cellars for 12x 2019 Anvil by Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon, Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Oct 12 - Wednesday, Oct 14
2019 Anvil by Forgeron Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon
4 bottles for $89.99 $22.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $229.99 $19.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
i love this wine. this is a find, IMHO.
Sounds interesting. Any Atlanta folks interested in a split?
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations)
2019 Anvil by Forgeron Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon - $40 = 14.81%
@Mark_L like that the “penalty” isn’t that bad. I am full on reds but will try a small order of this. I live there (Sometimes) and WA wines are great and without the Napa pricing.
Rats? WD’s positive recommendation is encouraging, but some tasting notes would be helpful.
@moondigger I did the deed! Check below.
Vinous…90 points. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Dionysus Vineyard is notably peppery, with dusty rose and crushed raspberries forming its airy bouquet. This blends silky textures with tart red berry fruits and juicy
acidity to create a display of pleasurable contrasts. Finishing with a mocha tinge and grippy tannins as hints of brown spice fade, the 2019 leaves the mouth watering for more. Drink 2024 - 2028 Eric Guido October 2023
WE…90 points. With the inclusion of 8% Petit Verdot, this medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon possesses a remarkably creamy texture, with bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Its blueberry and ginger aromas are punctuated by the graphite of a Ticonderoga pencil. The wine’s flavors focus on smoked cherries, thyme and a touch of dark chocolate. — Michael Alberty 11/1/23
Suckling…92 points. Aromas of cassis and blueberries with toasted walnuts, black licorice, star anise and chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, velvety and sleek with supple tannins and bright acidity. Ripe and succulent with a flavorful finish. Drink now. 3/23
A blogger, Wine, Food and Fun with the Lumpy One…(?)…The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you’d expect from a Washington Cabernet. A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of warm blackberry, plum, baking spice amid hints of oak in the background. Take a sip and you’re treated to a rush of cool ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that give way to some earthy mineral notes midpalate, before easing into some white pepper notes heading into the finish. The tannins are well structured, providing for a nice base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until you take another sip. Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as the Dionysus Cabernet is a perennial favorite of mine. This wine is ideal for the winter months, as the hearty structure and ripe fruit make it perfect for the hearty dishes we all enjoy this time of year. This wine would pair well with steak, lamb, hearty pasta dishes or rustic risotto. Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared center cut prime ribeye, haricots verts almondine and a big baked potato with all the trimmings. jtryka 12/24/23
Jeb Dunnuck…[on the '18]92+ points. Deep purple-hued, with a rocking nose of ripe currants, plums, and bright black cherry fruits, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dionysus Vineyard Block 11 is medium to full-bodied and has a ripe, nicely balanced, structured mouthfeel, well-integrated oak, and some classic Cabernet Sauvignon tobacco and cedar notions. Still youthful, this ripe, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will evolve for another 15 years or more. Drink 2023 - 2039 JD 6/14/23Dunnuck, by JD, 93 points. Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and baking spice notes all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Block 11, a powerful, medium to full-bodied, ripe, sexy Cabernet Sauvignon with quality tannins, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s another wine from this estate that has plenty of up-front appeal (particularly with a decant) yet will evolve gracefully and have a good 15+ years of prime drinking. Drink 2022 -2038. 7/9/22
fwiw
@kaolis Thanks. Is the Jeb Dunnuck rating for the 2018 vintage instead of this 2019 offering?
@MIwolverine well damn, it was pre caffeine and prepping for Bears tomorrow but maybe I’m just getting old!!
worth more than the worthless 2018 review
Good morning Casemates.
I had the pleasure of ratting this last night.
2019 Cabernet from the Dionysus vineyard in Colombia valley.
Opened the bottle after dinner, the pairing wouldn’t have helped it so I left it until after dinner. The bottle is on the heavier side, the wine poured clear, ruby/purple color and great color depth.
On the nose, the wine is plenty youthful, lots of blue and blackberry and a bit of cassis but not overly ripe. A little of vanilla and oak and the alcohol is noticeable.
Tasting the wine, it’s definitely dry, medium to full bodied, good acidity and moderate tannins. I would say it’s pretty well balanced between the fruit, oak, acidity with alcohol sticking out a bit more. Flavors are similar to the nose, the vanilla did come out a little more.
I would pin this somewhere in between a modern cab and an old world style. Nice wine and certainly worth the price being sold here.
Cheers
@CorTot Thanks for the tasting notes.
@CorTot @moondigger And photos.
Any South Florida people interested in a split?
Never mind, got a split already!
/giphy feverish-strong-honey
This sounds scary. I think we are starting to get the Halloween codewords.
/giphy frivolous-horrific-phoenix
Jeez feeling a bit ‘aged’, all this time and not a reference for Coyote/Roadrunner and Acme Anvils! Cross-marketing ‘miss’ on landing page
Still in, yay for Washington product,
/giphy emerald-peevish-marmot
/giphy hairy-unruly-condor
Not pleased with shipping in 100+ temps
@rjquillin shipping out of walla walla. low’s in high 40’s. should be fine.
@Winedavid59
Ok, sure hope so, but we’re still in the high 90’s this week down here and the route looks similar for Wed/Thur. Hope it makes it before the weekend.
This showed up yesterday and opened a bottle today. Absolutely delicious!