How Sweet It Is...
Marlborough has an ideal climate for botrytised dessert wines, thanks to cool nights and temperate days, modest autumn rainfall and a harvest period lasting from March until May. These elements allow botrytis-affected berries an extended time on the vine, concentrating the sugars and flavours while retaining acidity. I have been making botrytised Riesling since 1993 and find the Brancott Valley to be one of my most interesting sites. Brancott’s older soil profile of un-dissected river terraces together with is elevated location, approximately 50m abovethe Wairau Valley floor, result in cooler temperatures and a later harvest than in many other parts of Marlborough. Botrytised Riesling from this site has exceptional acidity and length and offers a unique flavour profile of sweet citrus and exotic tropical fruits.
Marlborough’s Brancott Valley with its older soils and extended ripening season, produces Riesling which has distinctive tropical flavours and palate weight. This sweet wine is an outstanding example, with aromas of ripe apricots, honeysuckle and orange zest and a rich and luscious palate, brimming with stone-fruits and the signature flavour of fresh mango, and finishing with refreshing acidity.
Sustainable Forrest
It is with great pleasure that we can tell you that as of April 2010, all our vineyards and our winery in Marlborough have been accredited part of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. This means we are doing everything within our power to sustainably produce wines of the highest quality with the good of the environment always in mind. We are constantly striving to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
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Forrest Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Scores 95 Points
2008 Forrest Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
A mini-vertical tasting of Forrest sauvignon blancs back to ’06 (and ’01 as a back-marker) showed some sauvignons can age well. Screwcaps have, of course, moved the goalposts. Still very pale and no less fresh, with light floral/passionfruit elements, this is a wine of extreme elegance built on a minerally, citrus-nuanced framework. 13% alc/vol; screwcap
Rating: 95 points
Drink: to 2013
Price: $21.75 AUD
Distributed by Vintner Partners (Qld, Vic, NSW
ph 1300 856 389); Empire Liquor (SA ph (08) 8371 0088)
Forrest Wins 5 Gold Medals at Air NZ Wine Awards
Here are the results of our medal tally from the Air NZ Wine Awards
Forrest The Doctors' Riesling 2009 - Gold
John Forrest Collection Chardonnay 2004 - Gold
Forrest The Valleys Wairau Gewurztraminer 2008 - Gold
Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2008 - Gold
Forrest Riesling 2009 - Silver
Forrest Chardonnay 2007 - Silver
John Forrest Collection Noble Riesling 2005 - Silver
Forrest The Valleys Wairau Gewurztraminer 2009 - Bronze
Forrest The Valleys Brancott Riesling 2007 - Bronze
John Forrest Collection Riesling 2006 - Bronze
Forrest The Doctors' Arneis 2009 - Bronze
Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2007 - Bronze
