‘Waitaki Wine Doctors see double’
Drs John Forrest of Forrest Wines and Jim Jerram of Ostler Wines are today celebrating double
successes with gold medals for their 2010 Waitaki Valley Pinot Noirs.
Awarded by the prestigious 2013 London International Wine Challenge, this echoes the 2012
event when the John Forrest Collection 2009 Pinot Noir was awarded a gold medal together
with the Ostler Caroline 2009 Pinot Noir 2012 also winning gold at the equivalent event in
Shanghai.
Waitaki Valley in New Zealand’s picturesque North Otago, was first planted in 2001 and the
vineyards are mostly small, intensively managed and produce a range of distinctive coolclimate
wines. The key viticultural characteristics are the area’s cool climate with warm
summers and long, usually dry, autumn seasons. Its geological origins are complex with
limestone, alluvial greywacke and schist being found in close proximity at different sites.
John Forrest, delighted with the result said, “This second success really solidifies the
credentials of the Waitaki Valley as a world-class wine-growing region, producing wines that
can truly capture what it is that makes great Pinot Noir.” He continues, “Whilst challenging
from a viticultural perspective, it reinforces the maxim that the greatest expression of a grape
variety often comes from its ability to ripen under extreme conditions.”
Jim Jerram, owner of Ostler Wines explains, “For us this is the culmination of 13 years of
working closely with our viticulturalist and winemaking brother-in-law, Jeff Sinnott whose vision
when we prospected in 1998, has been fulfilled. It is also about our dedicated and
enthusiastic team who produce wonderful fruit under very challenging, ultracool viticultural
conditions.”
As a further endorsement, Jim said, “At Pinot Noir 2013 in Wellington in January it was clear
Waitaki Pinots stood out as a distinct style. It prompted one of the US's most influential Pinot
critics, Matt Kramer to write lyrical about the Ostler Caroline in his column over two
successive months of 'Wine Spectator'.”
For further information please contact Dr John Forrest (64) 21 477 502 john@forrestwines.co.nz
or Dr Jim Jerram 64 21 431559 jim@ostlerwine.co.nz
Forrest Wines a double winner
Forrest Wines, one of New Zealand's premium, 100% kiwi-owned winegrowers is celebrating today their double success at the prestigious London International Wine Challenge with Gold for their 2010 Marlborough Brancott Valley Pinot Noir & 2010 John Forrest Collection Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir. Celebrations are doubly sweet as their 2009 John Forrest Collection Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir won both Gold & Trophy, for the champion New Zealand Pinot at the 2012 London show.
Owner/winemaker Dr John Forrest reserves special praise for the debut Marlborough Brancott Valley wine saying "Marlborough just keeps on winning awards for its Pinot Noirs; it deserves greater recognition for them."
Forrest Wines, owned & very much still run hands-on for 24 years by Drs John & Brigid Forrest and their small team based in Marlborough, are unique in owning and developing vineyards in New Zealand's three premier wine growing regions - Marlborough; Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay; and both Bannockburn & Waitaki Valley in Otago.
As Dr John Forrest comments... "great wine can consistently only come from the greatest of terroir and this simple philosophy has guided our small, family-owned winery since inception and will continue going forward through the generations."
Quote ..."Don't under-estimate the challenges of growing grapes and winemaking over 1200km across these three fantastic regions. I want to acknowledge the advice, dedication, hard work and kindness of our friends, partners, staff & wider Kiwi wine-growing community to our success and the enjoyment of the first quarter century of Forrest Wines - thank you, thank you all."
Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - What a weekend
Forrest Wines thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in November, the atmosphere created by the large number of cyclists was electric, and it was great to meet some of you at our tasting room set up in the great lakes conference centre on the Friday.
Since our time at Taupo we’ve been actively involved in the Coast to Coast race, where the sponsored Forrest Wines team went on to win their event, now we have one eye on the April Forrest Grapreride in Marlborough, where we hope to meet some of you again. In the meantime there is one more important thing for us to be part of, and just around the corner, the 2013 harvest.
John Forrest is predicting an excellent 2013 vintage for quality, fueled by tremendous growing conditions over the past 2 months. If you can’t wait for the 2013’s and need to replenish your wine cellar today with one of John and Brigids premium wines. Follow this link www.forrest.co.nz/orders.asp
a selection of specials are available and individual bottles can be purchased, delivered from our door to yours.
See you next November, if not before
The Forrest Wines team
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
