Forrest Winery Marlborough – picture taken by Françoise in March ‘05

John and Brigid Forrest are Forrest Estate - a small, very much 'hands-on" producer, of premium quality white wine from their home vineyards in Marlborough, whilst in, partnership, they produce the Cornerstone Bordeaux red from their vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels Region of Hawkes Bay and a premium Pinot Noir from their Bannockburn Vineyard in Central Otago.

Dr. John Forrest at winery March ‘05

Visit their website by clicking here.

 

The Wines

Sauvignon Blanc: Classical Forrest Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at its very best – pungent on the nose the flavours spring from the glass. Tropical fruits – paw paw, mango, passionfruit; berry fruit – blackcurrant, cranberry, gooseberry; aromatic herbs - rosemary, thyme and sage and finally floral aromas of elderflower and lantana that engulf a room the instant the screwcap is removed. The fruit concentration is evident on the palate with its fullness of body, persistence of flavour and lingering finish. All balanced with a crisp acidity that focuses the wine and refreshes the mouth.

 

Riesling : A pot pouri of flavours from three vineyards, it’s a deliciously aromatic wine richly flavoured and zesty. Harvested with a small amount of noble rot (botrytis) adding a subtle honey aroma to a wine bursting with mandarin, apricot, pear and lemon blossom flavours. Stop-fermented in a medium/dry (14.0g/l) style it’s drinking well already, however with time will mellow and show lovely lemon honey aromas, rounded palate and lingering finish – well worth the cellaring.

 

Gewurztraminer: Intensely perfumed, rich in alcohol and weighty on the palate. It abounds on the nose and in the mouth with flavours of tropical fruits – lychee and ginger; exotic spices – cloves and cinnamon and of course Turkish Delight. A mouth filling, very ripe tasting wine with a nice balance of gentle acidity and residual fruit sweetness (12 g/l). Serve it chilled as an aperitif with soft cheeses.

 

Pinot Noir: Mulberry-hued red color, full bodied, soft, rounded, and very drinkable showing excellent depth of cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. Subtle forest floor/earthy aromas and nicely integrated sweet smoky oak finish. Displays harmony and subtleness in both aromas and texture, not to mention a fabulous (sensible) price for premium New Zealand Pinot Noir.

 

CORNERSTONE Cabernet Sauvignon : A big generous wine with vivid colour and great depth of spicy blackberry, plum and chocolate flavours. Still very much in its infancy, the palate is full revealing excellent depth and richness, ripe spicy oak flavours, supported by fine silky tannins. Without question a superb example of the potential of the Gimblett Gravels region. Gimblett Road has established itself as New Zealand’s pre-eminent Bordeaux red grape growing area because of these special characteristics.

 

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