Forgeron Cellars Merlot Blend Columbia Valley Walldeaux Smithie NV

So I have arrived safe and sound from my grand adventure to the west! I traveled from my home in Michigan to Missouri, then across the Oregon Trail (in general terms) to Pendleton, Oregon and Walla Walla, Washington, home to some of the most wonderful wines around today in my opinion. Of course I stopped for wine all along the way, so we will have much to discuss over the coming months as we explore wines ranging from the classics of the Columbia Valley, to the emerging Snake River Valley of Idaho, even to the unusual Norton grapes of Missouri. But enough forward-looking thoughts, let's get down to tonight's wine! Forgeron Cellars was the third winery I visited on my day of tasting around Walla Walla, and it was a very nice surprise. Marie-Eve Gilla is the part owner and winemaker at Forgeron, and she employs her background in French wines to make complex, food-friendly wines that really exemplify the wine potential of Washington state. Using grapes sourced not only from the Walla Walla Valley, but also from the Columbia and Yakima Valleys, she crafts some wonderful wines that really reflect the tradition of Bordeaux style blends that made Walla Walla famous, but she also employs grape varieties like Barbera and Primitivo that many others have yet to try. Click here for my full review: http://allaloneonaplanetfullofpeople.blogspot.com/2012/06/forgeron-walldeaux-smithie.html

Herbal and plum aromas, with a touch of tar and leather added tot he palate. Smooth tannins. Better with food. Very smooth, with blackberry as it opens up gaining depth in the midpalate. Good with mac and cheese, stew.