2019 Anvil by Forgeron Proprietary Blend
Every year we are excited to bring in the Minnick Hills Vineyard fruit in Walla Walla Valley and delight in taking each separate varietal and creating a beautiful Bordeaux Blend. Year after year, each varietal character develops unlike the other and this year was no different. It is truly a skilled craft to achieve the perfect amounts of each varietal blended together to create such an elegant wine. We love what Walla Walla Valley has to offer and this wine is a true testament to our home region.
Featuring all five classic Bordeaux varietals, this traditional blend is derived entirely from the famed Minnick Hills Vineyard. Dark red fruit abounds and is complemented by notes of fresh sage, graphite, and sweet Tahitian vanilla. Integrated and complex, the mid-palate offers flavors of ripe currant, cola, and fresh herbs. Fine tannins define the lengthy and complex finish. This wine will cellar well for 20+ years and pairs well with a Porterhouse or Ribeye grilled steak.
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Varietal Composition | 27% Malbec , 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, 13% Cabernet Franc |
| Appellation | Walla Walla Valley |
| Vineyard | Minnick Hills Vineyard |
| Harvest Date | 10/15/2019 |
| PH | 3.77 |
| Aging | 17 months in 35% new French oak, 65% neutral French oak |
| Alcohol | 14.50% |
| Wine Style | Dry |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 03/20/2021 |
| Cases Produced | 345 |
93 points, James Suckling
Aromas of dried flowers, blackcurrants, blackberries and cured meat. Full-bodied with slightly chewy tannins and wet-mineral character. There is good balance between the herbal and dark-fruit notes. The tannins are well structured and let the palate fade steadily and slowly. 27% malbec, 20% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 20% petit verdot and 13% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.
- James Suckling
91 points + Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast
91 points, Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Proprietary Blend Anvil Minnick Hills Vineyard checks in as a kitchen sink-like blend of Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc that spent 17 months in 35% new barrels. This spicy, peppery, herbal effort has lots of darker currant and red plum fruits, notes of green tobacco, cedar, and baking chocolate, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and a good finish. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following decade.
- Jeb Dunnuck
MINNICK HILLS VINEYARD
The south-facing slope, at 1150 ft elevation, is higher than most vineyards in Walla Walla Valley, and is perfectly suited to soak up the warm sun while simultaneously basking in a welcoming breeze that creates good air circulation through the vines. The soils are a sought-after combination of Mt. Mazama volcanic ash content, with windblown loess; this provides deep, extremely well-drained soils. The good drainage means we don’t have to worry so much about early frost and allows for longer hang-time in the fall, giving the fruit time to fully ripen. The vines here are healthy and vigorous; important so that the full canopy can protect the grapes from the Eastern Washington sun, again allowing for slow, even ripening.
