Tasting Report: Forrest Wines from New Zealand

New Zealand is an exciting wine region and a promising area to explore for value hunters. In addition to their notable Sauvignon Blancs, they're producing excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in addition to Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer. I had a chance to taste through 3 wines from Forrest Wines over the course of a week. My notes are below.

2008 The Doctors' Riesling Marlborough
20,000 cases produced
8.5% alcohol
$17.99
My Notes:
I don't think I've ever seen a wine label so spot-on in its description: "Lime sorbet and juicy green apples...some lovely sweetness balanced by the fine acidity..." Indeed. This was the first of the 3 bottles I tried and I was on a major Riesling kick at the time. Comparing this wine to (what else) a German Riesling, this one didn't quite have the density or "zing" that my favorite Germans bring.
A touch of sweetness for sure, which I liked, but more flavor and weight and I would have enjoyed it more. Still, a very enjoyable bottle.
87 Points WWP: Very Good


2008 Forrest Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
1,500 cases produced
13.5% alcohol
$17.99
My Notes:
Okay, now we're on to a grape variety that New Zealand has done very well with. Although the classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc delivers intense, pungent aromas, this wine showed restraint. In discussing this wine via E-mail with Trevor Loomis from Forrest Wines, he described the wine as one that bucks the trend in New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and goes for a more Loire Valley style wine. Yeah- I can see that. I could easily mistake this for a Sancerre blind. Very clean, nice acidity, and enjoyable citrus aromas and flavors. Really nice stuff.
89 Points WWP: Very Good


2007 Forrest Pinot Noir Marlborough
3,000 cases produced
14% alcohol
$23.99
My Notes:
I'm thinking of going on a New Zealand Pinot Noir kick after trying this (and other wines) recently. If I tasted this wine blind and had to guess whether it was from Burgundy, California or Oregon I'd likely guess Oregon. It's lower in acidity and more full-bodied that red Burgundy, yet it brings enjoyable mushroom/forrest floor aromatics that I really enjoy. I don't find these characteristics in most California Pinot Noirs I've tried.
I would have rated this one a little higher if it delivered more flavor, but what I tasted I liked very much.
88 Points WWP: Very Good

Where to Buy:

These wines are available in the following states:

• California
• Nevada
• Arizona
• Texas
• Southern Illinois
• Iowa
• Ohio
• Washington DC
• Pennsylvania

Related Reading:

• A tasting report of some outstanding German Riesling
• A write-up about a high-production New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that I use as a benchmark
• A tasting report from another New Zealand producer- Torrent Bay
• An outstanding and affordable Oregon Pinot Noir
  

I'd like to thank Forrest Wines for giving me the opportunity to taste through these wines.

Question of the Day: Have you seen Forrest Wines in stores in your area? Ever had 'em? What did you think?

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Gary Vaynerchuk Book Tour Comes to Boston

Gary Vaynerchuk from Wine Library TV will be signing books at the Boston University Bookstore on Friday October 16th, 2009 from 1:00-3:00 PM. For more details click HERE.

I haven't picked up a copy of Crush It! yet, but I bet I'd enjoy it. I liked his first book (which was more of a Top 100 Wines list). Especially the introduction where the writing was more biographical and insightful.

Stop by and check it out if you're in the area.

Want more GV? Check out THIS EVENT from 6-10PM.

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Hall Wine Dinner at Upstairs on the Square

What are you doing Thursday night? Here's another one of those events that brings together a number of things that I really like. I gushed on and on about a couple of wines from Hall Winery earlier this year, in particular the 2006 Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. I gave it 96 points calling it "one of the most enjoyable wines I've ever had". Wine Spectator loved it too- the wine was pictured on the cover of this month's Cabernet issue.

Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge, MA is hosting a wine dinner featuring Hall Wines this Thursday October 15th, 2009. I attended a previous wine dinner at Upstairs on the Square featuring wines from Hirsch Vineyards and thought it was fantastic. Upstairs on the Square is a great restaurant and they price their wine dinners very reasonably. Click here to learn more about this event.

Check 'em out:
Upstairs on the Square
Call 617-864-1933 for reservations

On Twitter:
@UpstairsOnTheSq
@HALLWines

Thanks to reader DK for the tip on this one. Appreciate it.

Questions of the Day: Are you planning on attending this dinner? Are you a fan of Upstairs on the Square or Hall Wines?

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Morton's Boston October Events

Two events at Morton's Boston locations coming up for your consideration:

Roses & Reds for Ribbons

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Morton’s Back Bay will host a four-course dinner paired with fine wines donated by Ruby Wines. 100% of proceeds from the silent auction (post-dinner) will go to the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure. Some auction items include a pink, leather Beijo ribbon purse, a baseball signed by Kevin Youkilis and an official NHL hockey stick brandished with the Boston Bruins players’ signatures, among several others. $95/guest (includes tax & gratuity). Monday, October 19th, 2009. Learn more...

Cookbook Tour Event

Celebrating the release of its second cookbook, Morton’s Seaport will host VP of Wine & Spirits and celebrated Cookbook Co-Author Tylor Field on the last stop of the corporation’s 41-city tour. On Tuesday, October 27th, 2009, the tour will stop at Boston’s Seaport location for a benefit and book signing event. For this tour, Morton’s has launched its 'Recipes for Feeding America' campaign. They’re hosting cocktail receptions and silent auctions at Morton's locations from coast to coast, with proceeds benefiting the local chapter of Feeding America. $59/guest – includes array of signature dishes and wine & cocktail pairings from Morton’s The Cookbook. 100% of silent auction proceeds and a portion of ticket cost will be donated to Feeding America. Learn more...

Follow @Morton's on Twitter, and while you're at it a @SommelierSara who works and tweets from one of their Chicago locations.

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