2002 Forgeron Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Here we are again, another Cellar Saturday, and this time I've opened a nice bottle of Cabernet Savignon from another of my favorite Washington producers, Forgeron Cellars.  When I was out in Walla Walla last year i had the opportunity to buy a couple of bottles each of a three-year vertical of their Columbia Valley Cabernet, vintages from 2002 through 2004, so tonight I've decided to open a bottle of the oldest, the 2002 Forgeron Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass with a bit of opacity starting to show given it's maturity level.  The nose is just impressive, with a blast of fruit, dark cherry, cassis, leather and smoke over a bit of sultry spice.  The taste elegant yet complex in its layers, with some soft berry notes that give way to some wonderful earthy flavors of peat, green grass and some minerality, with hints of limestone and dark chocolate. The finish is very nice, smooth and dry, just as I would expect for a 12-year-old Cabernet produced in the style of a quality Bordeaux. 

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a great old wine that has aged remarkably well.  Although it's not inexpensive (I honestly don't recall what I paid for these), it's certainly a very worthwhile treat for the wine lover in you!  Tonight I am pairing this wine with, of all things pizza!  In this case a lovely homemade number with a thin crust, roasted vegetables and fresh hot Italian sausage along with a nice arugula salad with some white balsamic.  The wine just pairs so well with the spice of the pizza and you know, sometimes it just feels good to open a nice bottle for a simple meal.  Cheers!