The wines of Forrest Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand

The wines of Forrest Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand

Website: www.forrestwines.co.nz

John Forrest

Drs John and Brigid Forrest have been making wine in New Zealand’s Marlborough region since 1988, which is early history by the standards of this region. They now own seven and manage two vineyards in the prime Wairau Valley of Marlborough, with a total of 130 hectares in all – a sizeable operation. The wines are textbook examples of their style, with Riesling being a strong point, along with the super-premium ‘Collection’ whites.

Prices in brackets are UK retail.

Forrest Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Marlborough
Opening out with some green, grassy herbal notes and nice expressive fruitiness. Lovely wine. 90/100 (Ł9.99)

Forrest Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough
Very bright and fresh on the nose with aromatic, minerally fruit. The palate is fresh and focused with nice acidity. Quite mineral and tight. 90/100 (Ł9.99)

Forrest Estate Wairau Dry Riesling 2007 Marlborough
From a stony site, this is the 15^th vintage of this wine. Focused limey nose. The palate is expressive, dry and limey. Delicious. 89/100 (Ł9.99)

Forrest Estate The Doctors’ Riesling 2007 Marlborough
Lovely rich Kabinett (off-dry) style with nice texture and sweetness offsetting the acidity. Vibrant, bright and persistent with a lemony finish. 90/100 (Ł8.99)

Forrest Estate Gewürztraminer 2007 Marlborough
Lovely rich lychee nose is sweet and a bit floral. The palate is soft-textured and rich with lovely pure lychee and grapey fruit. 89/100 (Ł9.99)

Forrest Estate Pinot Noir 2007 Marlborough
Bright dark cherry fruit nose. The palate is soft and expressive with nice freshness and a subtle herbiness. Sweet and attractive. 89/100 (Ł9.99)

Tattyboggler Pinot Noir Central Otago 2007
Lovely expressive bright fruit with some herbiness. Nicely expressive with a fine spicy edge to the dark fruits. Good acid. A bright style. 90/100 (Ł14.99)

John Forrest Collection The White 2007 New Zealand
Multivarietal wine made from the best grapes from all vineyards. Complex and intense with lovely herby intensity and broad flavours. Fresh and minerally but fresh and rich at the same time. 91/100 (Ł16.99)

John Forrest Collection The White 2006 New Zealand
Herby and complex with lovely textural elements on the palate. Quite vivid with good complexity. Lovely stuff. 92/100 (Ł16.99)

John Forrest Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Marlborough
One acre, cropped 2 tons/acre (half standard) and picked early. Complex, tight, herby nose. The palate is broad and intense with good acidity and lovely richness. Really bold flavour here: herby and intense. 92/100 (Ł14.75)

UK agent: Adnams (www.adnams.co.uk)