John Forrest Collection

John Forrest Collection Wines - Tasted at MacVine International March 20th 2014
Doctors John and Brigid Forrest are Forrest, 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 Hawke's Bay and premium Pinot Noir from their vineyards in Bannockburn and the Waitaki Valley, Otago. 
All wines tasted were closed under crew top - Yay!

'Collection' Sauvignon Blanc Wairau 2012
Powerful and focused bouquet with an initial hit of bell pepper followed very quickly by a collection (no pun intended) pure fruit, gentle floral and spice suggestions; perhaps a nudge of oak.On the palate - dry with flavors that reflect the nose - sweet citrus and plenty of lush fruits; a feature is the texture which shows a light chalky feel and stony Marlborough- esque side. Balanced with medium+ length and complexity.
4.8 Stars (88 Points)

'Collection' Riesling Wairau Valley 2007 13%
Take note Riesling fans - this is a must try wine.......Toasty, rich in flavor and oozing suggestions of lime and honey along with baked red apple and a touch of ginger spice and marmalade - so - pretty complex and enticing. On the palate - dry with medium+ acidity and all the flavors suggested above; juicy and delicious - Balanced with quite a long finish and medium complexity.
4.5 Stars (89 Points)

'Collection' The White 
This is an aromatic and blended white wine that is traditionally vinified from multiple varieties from as many regions - Chardonnay, Riesling Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer.
This example had an initial herbal quality that quickly changed into baked apple then citrus fruits; a medium+ (ish) weighted wine on the palate with a gentle creamy texture embellished by a variety of fruit flavors, textures and impressions; Dry with a gentle savory edge; high acidity and lovely medium+ finish.
Coming back to this wine several minutes later there was a dramatic increase in complexity, fruit and flavor suggestions as well as texture - all positive. Great balance and charm.
5 Stars (91 points)

'Collection' Waitaki Valley Chardonnay 2011 12.5%
Crisp, clean and pure with a focused stone fruit and citrus bouquet - there is a definitive sense of place here too - limestone and sweet clean air (I've been there - the Waitaki Valley that is - the bouquet has an uncanny connection to this memory), apple, pear, spice and an old oak suggestion. On the palate its all about texture: clean, fresh and crisp fruit flavors  - just let the wine speak to you - it dies this with such ease. I especially like the lees derived textures and perhaps a little sulphide suggestion. Young, balanced, medium+ length and complexity, fabulous potential.
5 Stars (91 Points)

'Collection' Chardonnay Wairau Valley 2010 13.5%
There's no mistaking the bouquet of a cool climate Chardonnay with sweet vanillin oak and suggestions of cream and stone fruits. 60% new French oak used - but you wouldn't know it given the intense and juicy fruit flavors; there 's even a light feminine side; medium+ acidity and body; stone fruit and white tree fruits flavors add richness. Lovely finish - a wine that will please the palate of many Chardonnay fans - did mine.
Must like oak. Very nine!
4.9 Stars (89 Points)

A special treat wine - 
the Doctor's Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2003 Waitaki Valley 14% 
A wine with a heart of burgundy red at the core, some browning hues throughout. While the bouquet had an initial porty note - the rest was very much a wine of Pinosity and presence. Fully integrated and I'm sure some further development ahead as well - there were aromas and flavors of violets and soft roses, tertiary fruits of cranberry and cherry and a generous charming finish. Fine powdery tannins and medium acidity.
Thank You John :)

'Collection' Pinot Noir Waitaki Valley 2011
Wow! This is my kind of Pinot Noir bouquet - an obvious tease of whole bunch leads into that sexy and seductive Chambolle Musigny like mix of earth, macerated cherry, sweet oak and harmony that very few Pinots Noir can have - a sense of place. Got me on this one.
Palate is even better than the nose suggests - a tease of flavors centred on light red fruits, an earthy dried herb layer, spicy oak, very fine and highly textured tannins; limestone directed acidity and a long playful finish.
5 Stars (96 Points) 
A highly recommended purchase

'Collection' 2010 Pinot Noir Bannockburn Central Otago 13.5%
Lots of schist and wild thyme, lots of darkly coloured light red fruits - cherry then plum; medium+ oak. On the palate - dry with flavors that directly reflect the nose; medium+ tannins and acidity, lots of texture and length. Overall a very taut, tense and not yet ready wine. It is going to be great though - belongs in a cellar for another 2 years.
A recommended acquisition.
4.5 Stars (89 Points)

'Collection' Syrah Gimblett Gravels 2009 13.5%
Lovely richness and intensity driven by black fruits of roasted raspberry and blackcurrant, a sense of black pepper before white and lots of violets and dark velvet roses - there's complexity and a masculine power at the heart of this bouquet; on the palate - dry with a dense core of fruit, medium++ tannins that are exceptionally ripe yet almost overpowering in their attack; medium+ acidity and a long finish. This is a keeper and will/should develop for several years before it is really ready. A delicious wine.
5 Stars (91 Points) 

'Collection' Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
There's no mistaking the signature of Cabernet here - powerful, ripe and significant blackberry fruits, herbaceous with suggestions of Cuban cigar and distinctive oak. It's all or nothing on the palate with many Cabernet and this example is - all! It is ripe, full-bodied, full of flavor from the blackberry fruits to the vegemite and marmite toasty oak flavors; the tannins are rich, big and vibrant yet raw and youthful too - this is a 20 year wine - raw, but very giving. Finish is long enough to make me want to try this gem again in 5 years - just to check its progress. Very nice indeed.
5 Stars (90 points)