Mac Forbes Coldstream Villages Pinot Noir 2020

The grapes come from Coldstream, in the lower part of the Yarra Valley, in Victoria, about an hour north-east of Melbourne. This area at the foot of the Warramate Hills enjoys a warmer climate than the higher-altitude villages of the Upper Yarra. Mild days and cool nights nevertheless encourage gradual ripening of the Pinot Noir. This cuvée belongs to Mac Forbes' "Villages" collection, designed to convey the geographical nuances of the valley. Coldstream gives a generally broader, more structured expression, while keeping the freshness characteristic of the estate's wines.

The grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed, then fermented separately in open vats with native yeasts. After pressing, the wine is aged in French oak barrels before blending.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry, plum and raspberry, joined by accents of violet, pepper and clove, then by hints of forest floor and damp earth. On the palate, the texture is supple yet structured, carried by lively acidity and fine tannins. The whole keeps a precise balance between depth and freshness, with an elegant progression and a persistent, slightly saline finish that adds length and underlines the assertive character of this expression of Pinot Noir.

Australia began making wine more than two centuries ago. The result is a country rich in old vines, multi-generational winemaking families and a deep-rooted knowledge of and respect for craftsmanship. Add to that a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude and a varied portfolio of 65 wine regions across many climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine country like few others. Australia burst onto export markets in the 1980s and has since offered the whole world vibrant, fruity wines of exceptional value. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the story of Australian wine was dominated by over-concentrated examples of Shiraz, Grenache and red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diversity of Australia's high-quality and regional wines, which has always existed. Australian viticulture is mainly concentrated along the southern ocean fringe, where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, located around the major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the 4th largest exporter in the world in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries today for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines all over the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.