Forrest Estate wine tasting at Wine Chambers

What a week it has been what with the cricket, the economy,  and a lot of work for Wine Vault TV. We have been recording like crazy and even recorded this tasting on the fly.

The Forrest Estate wine tasting was held at the restaurant Wine Chambers in Shortland Street, Auckland CBD. A beautiful setting for a tasting with glorious architecture and furnishings that take one back to the early 1900s.

The wines were lined up and there were multiple vintages for us to taste. I started with The White which is a blend of white grape varieties including Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and others. Whilst the wine was well made, I couldn't help think that this is not what wine should be about. For me wine has to sing and dane about a particular place and season. The grapes for The White come from as far a field as Central Otago and Hawke's Bay. WVR 86 points

The Forrest Sauvignon Blanc 2006 had real presence in the glass and displayed that New Zealand white wine can age gracefully. The fruit was still very much alive and this is probably due to the screwcap. The colour had not deepened and was a light straw. The taste was great with strips of minerality and good doses of acid layered with bright fruit. WVR 89 points

The 2008 Forrest Sauvingon Blanc was Sancerre like in its chalkiness and fruit quality. WVR 89 points The 2007 was somewhat trapped in the middle and outclassed by the others, unfortunately so in my books. WVR 85 points

We then tried the Rieslings and they are described as follows:

The Valleys Library Release 2001- Slight hint of Kerosene on the nose and citrus fruit. Citrus, lemon peel and minerals on the palate. WVR 88 points

Forrest Wairau Valley Dry Riesling 2007- Young and tight on the nose with just a hint of tangerine and citrus. The palate yielded young fruit and good acid. WVR 85 points

Brancott Riesling 2008- Lush ripe citrus fruit, zesty on the nose. Ripe preserved lemons and some sweetness that finishes dry despite 10 grams of R/S. WVR 86 points

Brancott Riesling 2007- Lemon tart and custard with tangerine on the side is the aroma of this wine. The palate is rich ripe fruit with some oat cake and finishes dry but you know there is sugar somewhere.  WVR 88 points

Brancott Riesling 2004- The sweetness and minerality hit you on the nose. This wine has developed beautifully on the palate with a concentration of quality fruit mixed with some kerosene character. WVR 90 points.

The Doctors Riesling 2006 - This wine is made in a Kabinet style with stewed apples and citrus on the nose. The apples continue through and it finishes dry despite the style and low alcohol at 8.5%. WVR 90 points.

The Doctors Riesling 2007- A punchy little critter with a ripe citrus fruit and oranges. The palate displays slightly over ripe fruit but is held in balance beautifully with good winemaking. WVR 88 points.

The Doctors Riesling 2008- A clean sterile nose of sweet ripe fruit and lemons. The fruit on the palate is crisp and refreshing. WVR 86 Points.

Waitaki Valley Chardonnay 2006- Grown in a difficult viticultural area that is Waitaki. The Fruit smelt unusual and the wine well made but felt slightly awkward in the glass. Lots of acid slightly oxidised taste and challenging nose. WVR 70 points.

Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2002- Class in a glass. This wine was still in its youth with bright acidity and fruit with a sweetness and taste that still lingers. The sensation was formidable with honey, tangerine, and lemon mixed with a hint of kerosene. The palate was lively and balanced to perfection. WVR 92 Points.

After all of this tasting I still would like to see wineries concentrating on making 2-3 wines and not wines from all over the country. For we cannot excel at everything we do so should concentrate on terroir not trying to show the world that we can make very varietal in every viticultural area of NZ.

All in all a good tasting session and nice wine in general.

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