2023 Mac Forbes Gladysdale Village Pinot Noir

95 pts
Fine grained and wildly fragrant, this is a cracking Pinot Noir release from Mac Forbes.

Price:
Sale price$62.00
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Description

Gladysdale is not as well-known as his some other Yarra sub-regions, but Mac bought a vineyard there in 2017 and it quickly became a favourite site. This is more on the lighter side of Pinot; herbal, incredibly aromatic and refreshing.

Located below Yarra Junction in a valley running north to south, the Gladysdale subregion enjoys the warmth of air travelling down the valley, with higher moisture content from the surrounding forests and increased solar exposure. The grey-brown clay soils of this area give rise to a Pinot Noir that is rich in aromatics and supple in structure, with a prominent front palate presence.

On the nose, this wine is lively, bursting with bright red fruits and a seductive touch of floral talc. The palate opens with a burst of crunchy fresh cherry that commands attention, leading into a core that is tense and sinewy, with notes of goji berry and raspberry leaf. The delicate, silty tannins are seamlessly integrated, adding depth and a subtle complexity that lingers. 

It's just what you'd expect from a Mac Forbes Pinot - utterly moreish, richly aromatic and deliciously precise.

95 points
"A light, bright ruby. Pretty and perfumed with its bouquet of brambly red fruits, lifted spice and some whole-bunch-derived crushed flowers. Delicately poised on the palate, with just the right amount of tannin for the lightweight yet delicious flavours. Good stuff."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

 

95 points
"A light, bright ruby. Pretty and perfumed with its bouquet of brambly red fruits, lifted spice and some whole-bunch-derived crushed flowers. Delicately poised on the palate, with just the right amount of tannin for the lightweight yet delicious flavours. Good stuff."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

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R
Rob M.
Fine Ethereal Pinot from a cool site - Mac Forbes style!

very delicate, perfumed pinot, who says you cant have complexity & flavour at 11% abv ?! delicious!

Location:
Situated at the southern end of the Yarra Valley, below Yarra Junction, in a valley running north-south down to Gippsland. The Gladysdale subregion benefits from increased warm air traveling down the valley, with higher air moisture content due to the surrounding forests and greater solar radiation. The area is dominated by grey/brown clay soils, producing wines with rich aromatics and a supple structure that is prominent on the front palate.

Tasting Notes:
Vibrant on the nose with bright red fruits and a seductive hint of floral talc. The palate opens with crunchy fresh cherry that bursts across the front, leading to a tense and sinewy core of goji and raspberry leaf. Delicate silty tannins are well integrated, adding depth and complexity. We recommend decanting this wine before serving at 14-16°C.

Vintage:
The season was challenging, marked by extreme rainfall during winter and spring. Poor flowering conditions resulted in reduced yields, but the depth and concentration of flavor are enhanced as a result. A long, slow ripening period over the summer led to a late harvest, producing fruit with wonderful detail and depth—a revelation from such a difficult season.

Wine Analysis:

Alcohol: 11%
Acidity: 5.6 g/L
pH: 3.67
Winemaking:

Soils: Grey/brown clay soils
Fruit: 50% foot stomped, 13 days on skins in open fermenter
Yeast: Wild

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Light Bodied
Variety Pinot Noir
Country Australia
Region Yarra Valley
Australian State VIC
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

Mac Forbes

If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.

Mac specialises in single vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.

His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, the Chardonnays are adored by lovers of fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice, and his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are among the country's most interesting. Additionally, his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure trove for the curious drinker.

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