NZ
Australia
Forrest's Cornerstone Vineyard in Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay yields small, concentrated Malbec berries
Dark fruit cake, spice & savoury notes with chalky dry tannins
Hand‑picked grapes fermented in small open vats, malolactic fermented & aged in 70% French/30% American oak (14% ABV)
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Description
Forrest Wines may be grounded in Marlborough, but its reach extends to some of New Zealand's most distinctive vineyard zones. The Cornerstone Vineyard, located in the heart of Hawke's Bay's Gimblett Gravels, provides the foundation for this Reserve Malbec. Formed from an ancient riverbed, the site features warm, free-draining stones that limit vine vigour and intensify fruit concentration. In 2018, hand-picked Malbec was fermented in small three-tonne open-top fermenters with daily hand plunging. Post-ferment, the wine completed malolactic conversion before ageing in a mix of French (70 percent) and American (30 percent) oak barriques. Bottled at 14% ABV, with 5g/L total acidity and a pH of 3.65, it opens with lifted aromas of plum compote, clove and graphite. The palate is dense and structured, showing black fruit, dark spice, roasted cocoa and firm, chalky tannins. Built to cellar five to eight years, this is a serious red with the depth and balance to complement richly flavoured meats or slow-cooked game.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
Food Pairings:
Fish
Game
Pork
Poultry
Red Meat
Description
Forrest Wines may be grounded in Marlborough, but its reach extends to some of New Zealand's most distinctive vineyard zones. The Cornerstone Vineyard, located in the heart of Hawke's Bay's Gimblett Gravels, provides the foundation for this Reserve Malbec. Formed from an ancient riverbed, the site features warm, free-draining stones that limit vine vigour and intensify fruit concentration. In 2018, hand-picked Malbec was fermented in small three-tonne open-top fermenters with daily hand plunging. Post-ferment, the wine completed malolactic conversion before ageing in a mix of French (70 percent) and American (30 percent) oak barriques. Bottled at 14% ABV, with 5g/L total acidity and a pH of 3.65, it opens with lifted aromas of plum compote, clove and graphite. The palate is dense and structured, showing black fruit, dark spice, roasted cocoa and firm, chalky tannins. Built to cellar five to eight years, this is a serious red with the depth and balance to complement richly flavoured meats or slow-cooked game.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
Food Pairings:
Fish
Game
Pork
Poultry
Red Meat
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
Fish
Game
Pork
Poultry
Red Meat