About
In creating Mac Forbes Wines back in 2004, there was a clear purpose to better understand and connect with where I am from. The more I have discovered over the years, the more I realise there still is to learn. Today, we are driven by curiosity and a passion for the nuances of this unique place. In each bottle of wine we offer a small snapshot of our evolving understanding of the Yarra Valley, and hope that through sharing these wines you will find joy and excitement in the stories they tell.
2022 Yarra Valley Chardonnay
The Yarra Valley label is the entry into our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. ‘Yarra Valley’ is a blend of declassified barrels from our grower vineyards and the Mac Forbes single vineyard sites. They represent a snapshot from across the valley and our vineyards. Generally, they can be enjoyed young but cellaring will reward with increased complexity.
Tasting Note
A bright nose with lots of lemon peel, green apple, even a touch of melon this year, loads of jasmine florals and crushed oyster shell freshness. The 2022 has a touch more weight on the palate than previous years, medium bodied with high acidity, crunchy fruits, a little savory sourdough lees quality and a touch of flinty reduction. A quick decant will really allow this to open up in the glass.
We recommend serving this wine between 12-14 degrees.
Vintage Conditions
A rather wet winter into a rather wet spring meant difficult flowering conditions (lowering yields) but big healthy green canopies, which our dry grown vineyards were very happy about. We had to be agile to hit the right picking windows, but were really happy with the fruit quality and the density of flavour in the resulting wines.
Wine Analysis
Alc/Vol: 11.5%
Acidity: 7.5 g/L
pH: 3.17
Vineyard
The Yarra Valley Chardonnay is a blend of fruit from grower vineyards and properties that we farm across both the upper Yarra and Valley floor.
Winemaking
Fruit: Destemmed and crushed before pressing
Fermentation: Old barriques on fine solids
Maturation: 11 months in old large and small format oak
Yeast: Indigenous
Fining: None
Filtration: Sterile
Bottled: 9th February 2023
Release Date: 24th February 2023
2022 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
The Yarra Valley label is the entry into our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. ‘Yarra Valley’ is a blend of declassified barrels from our grower vineyards and the Mac Forbes single vineyard sites. They represent a snapshot from across the valley and our vineyards. Generally, they can be enjoyed young but cellaring will reward with increased complexity.
Tasting Notes
A really heady wine this year, beautiful florals on the nose, lots of dried rose, cherry, red plum. The palate as elegant as always, but a touch more weight here. High acidity that really carries the wine, lots of cherry again with strawberry too, fine lingering tannins finishing with a little chocolate/earth note and cola spice gives freshness. A pure fruited wine, very moreish, a super strong Yarra Pinot this year. It won't be around for long!
We recommend serving this wine between 14-16 degrees.
Vintage Conditions
A rather wet winter into a rather wet spring meant difficult flowering conditions (lowering yields) but big healthy green canopies, which our dry grown vineyards were very happy about. We had to be agile to hit the right picking windows, but were really happy with the fruit quality and the density of flavour in the resulting wines.
Wine Analysis
Alc/Vol: 12%
Acidity: 6.1 g/L
pH: 3.64
Vineyard
The Yarra Valley Pinot is a blend of fruit from grower vineyards and properties that we farm across both the upper Yarra and the Valley floor.
Winemaking
Fruit: Destemmed and crushed before pressing
Fermentation: Old barriques on fine solids
Maturation: 11 months in old large and small format oak
Yeast: Indigenous
Fining: None
Filtration: Sterile
Bottled: 24th January 2023
Release Date: 24th February 2023
(Image: Mac Forbes Vineyards / www.macforbes.com.au)