Mac Forbes Spring Releases
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2020 Village Releases
The Villages tier represents a huge step in the broader understanding of the wonderfully diverse
Yarra Valley. For years, the Yarra has been represented by both single vineyard wines and broader blends across the whole region. Mac has long held the view that with experience and curiosity, different areas will grow in clarity and distinction. With our second release of the Villages wines we are excited to be showcasing more sub-regions and building a more complete picture of the Yarra Valley.
2020 YARRA JUNCTION VILLAGES CHARDONNAY
Sub-Region - Yarra Junction:
East facing within a smaller valley that runs from Yarra Junction to Poweltown in the south, featuring grey loam soils with underlying silt. Cooler winds roll off the Yarra River, with mountains directly to the north and south-west providing protection from hot afernoon sun in summer. Typically later ripening, thicker skins and higher acids are reflected in elegant structure with clean lines and powerful drive.
Tasting Notes:
We have chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of our wines. Our wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. The only tasting notes that matter are yours.
We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (10-15 degrees)
Vintage Conditions:
The 2020 season in the Yarra Valley will forever be remembered as a highly unusual and impossible to predict vintage. Significant weather events during flowering meant low yields, and erratic temperatures in December and January saw unprecedented ripening behaviour across many varieties. February rains were both welcome and anxiety-inducing, but ultimately the maturity and stability of the vines in our best parcels allowed fruit quality to shine through.
Wine Analysis:
Alc/Vol: 11.5%
Acidity: 8.3g/L
pH: 3.27
Winemaking:
Fruit: De-stemmed and crushed before pressing
Maturation: 9 months in old oak
Yeast: Indigenous
Fining: None
Filtration: Sterile
Bottled: 9th December 2020
Release Date: 10th July 2021
2020 COLDSTREAM VILLAGES PINOT NOIR
Sub-Region - Coldstream:
At the entrance to the Valley floor, this subregion is low elevation with grey/loam clay based soils. Ripping winds from the north slow transpiration in summer but the cooler overnight temperatures aid the plants ability to regulate aer hot days. Ironstone/mudstone is a consistently big influence, building full mid-palate structure with so, melting tannins.
Tasting Notes:
We have chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of our wines. Our wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. The only tasting notes that matter are yours.
We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees).
Vintage Conditions:
The 2020 season in the Yarra Valley will forever be remembered as a highly unusual and impossible to predict vintage. Significant weather events during flowering meant low yields, and erratic temperatures in December and January saw unprecedented ripening behaviour across many varieties. February rains were both welcome and anxiety-inducing, but ultimately the maturity and stability of the vines in our best parcels allowed fruit quality to shine through.
Wine Analysis:
Alc/Vol: 12%
Acidity: 5.25g/L
pH: 3.54
Winemaking:
Fruit: 35% whole bunches, 15 days on skins before pressing
Maturation: 8 months in old oak
Yeast: Indigenous
Fining: None
Filtration: None
Bottled: 17th December 2020
Release Date: 10th July 2021
2020 YARRA JUNCTION VILLAGES PINOT NOIR
Sub-Region - Yarra Junction:
East facing within a smaller valley that runs from Yarra Junction to Poweltown in the south, featuring grey loam soils with underlying silt. Cooler winds roll off the Yarra River, with mountains directly to the north and south-west providing protection from hot afternoon sun in summer. Typically later ripening, thicker skins and higher acids are reflected in elegant structure with clean lines and powerful drive.
Tasting Notes:
We have chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of our wines. Our wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. The only tasting notes that matter are yours.
We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees).
Vintage Conditions:
The 2020 season in the Yarra Valley will forever be remembered as a highly unusual and impossible to predict vintage. Significant weather events during flowering meant low yields, and erratic temperatures in December and January saw unprecedented ripening behaviour across many varieties. February rains were both welcome and anxiety-inducing, but ultimately the maturity and stability of the vines in our best parcels allowed fruit quality to shine through.
Wine Analysis:
Alc/Vol: 10.5%
Acidity: 7.4g/L
pH: 3.58
Winemaking:
Fruit: 45% whole bunches, 15 days on skins before pressing
Maturation: 10 months in old oak
Yeast: Indigenous
Fining: None
Filtration: None
Bottled: 13th January 2021
Release Date: 10th July 2021
2019 Single Vineyard Releases
We have been making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Single Vineyard wines since 2005 from a number of incredible sites across the Yarra Valley. In 2019 this range evolved when we made the decision to only bottle Single Vineyard wines from the properties that we farm ourselves using regenerative viticulture techniques. The Single Vineyard range is a focused deep-dive into our quest to unveil the unique identity of each vineyard and continue adding to our understanding of soils and microclimate.
2019 HODDLES CREEK 'SPEAR GULLY' CHARDONNAY
The Spear Gully vineyard in Hoddles Creek is our highest vineyard in the Upper Yarra at 270m and our only site on volcanic red soils. These soils offer a wonderful contrast to our other sites. The vineyard is planted in a slight arc and protected by indigenous trees on three sides. This vineyard while presenting focus and clarity also offers a more open structure and fruit weight.
Tasting Notes:
We have chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of our wines. Our wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. The only tasting notes that matter are yours.
We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (10-12 degrees).
Vintage Conditions:
The 2019 growing season was warm and dry. Below average rainfall and warmer conditions placed huge demands on the plants. Thankfully, in early February the vines welcomed two weeks of cool days and nights returning freshness and vigour. Overall small bunches and small berries characterised the season with above average structure and fruit weight.
Wine Analysis:
Alc/Vol: 11.5%
Acidity: 8.4g/L
pH: 3.19
Winemaking:
Fruit: De-stemmed and crushed before pressing
Harvested: 24th February, 2019
Maturation: 10 months in old oak, 16 months in bottle
Yeast: Indigenous
Fining: None
Filtration: Sterile
Bottled: 19th December, 2019
Release Date: 1st May 2021
2019 WOORI YALLOCK 'FERGUSON' CHARDONNAY
At 1.36ha, the Ferguson vineyard in Woori Yallock has been leased by Mac Forbes Wines since 2012. The South facing aspect delivers relief to the vines from hot northerly winds. This unique vineyard, planted in 1995 produces stunning fruit in both hot and cooler years and captures much of what we are seeking in terms of suitability of variety to site.
Tasting Notes:
We have chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of our wines. Our wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. The only tasting notes that matter are yours.
We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (10-12 degrees).
Vintage Conditions:
The 2019 growing season was warm and dry. Below average rainfall and warmer conditions placed huge demands on the plants. Thankfully, in early February the vines welcomed two weeks of cool days and nights returning freshness and vigour. Overall small bunches and small berries characterised the reason with above average structure and fruit weight.
Wine Analysis:
Alc/Vol: 11.5%
Acidity: 7.1g/L
pH: 3.26
Winemaking:
Fruit: De-stemmed and crushed before pressing
Harvested: 22nd February, 2019
Maturation: 10 months in old oak, 16 months in bottle
Yeast: Indigenous
Fining: None
Filtration: Sterile
Bottled: 19th December, 2019
Release Date: 1st May 2021
Winefront reviews by Gary Walsh
Posted on 01 April 2021
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Mac Forbes Hoddles Spear Gully Chardonnay 2019
‘Spear Gully. That’s an evocative name for a vineyard!
Aniseed, mint, almond, saline, crisp, ripe lemon, light and gently bitter, has flavour in there, albeit of a delicate nature, a sort of calcium carbonate texture, tightness, tang and length. almond skin popping in some additional texture on the finish. Touch and go for 95 points, though think that will come along in a year or two.’
94 points
Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Ferguson Chardonnay 2019
‘Mac paid us a visit last week, and given vintage finished for him about three months ago, he likely had some time on his hands.
Lemon/lime, delivers plenty of mid-palate flavour, despite being a fairly bony wine. Almond, green olive pip, a fresh vigorous, skinsy texture with nut cream richness adding some flesh, closing out with super length. Excellent. Time will be kind.’
95 Points
Mac Forbes Gladysdale Little Yarra Pinot Noir 2019
‘We’re Gladys all over. Gladys all over. Mac Forbes took over this vineyard in 2017, and says it’s “one of the coolest areas while capturing what is best described as pure sunlight.”
Cherry, ripe red fruits, lovely fine stony tannin, rips through and goes long. Finesse. Delicacy, yes, but so luminous, diaphanous, and all that. Wonderful.’
96 points
Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Ferguson Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
‘Used to be Woori Yalloak, but changed to the current spelling around 1911. Strawberry, spice, bony and fine, fresh, light peppery tannin offers grip and a slightly dusty feel. Excellent length. Needs time to fill out a little more.’
94 points
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