It appears an ’06 made it into our allocation of Mac Forbes, we decided to compare and contrast with the ’08.
Pinot Noir Coldstream 2006, Mac Forbes
[image image_id=2555 title=”Pinot Noir Coldstream 2006, Mac Forbes” align=”left”] I love the colour, it is very pale which I know would put some people off; if you demand inky blackness from your wines then leave my domain at once and go to a blog less concerned with beauty. The fruit on the nose is restrained but quite captivating and charming. It possesses some earthy complexity as well which raises this above mere fruit-bomb status. Indeed, the fruit and minerality are far too refined for this to be a blood-and-guts, knock-them-dead monstrosity: it is svelte, sophisticated Pinot which displays its stylish charms in a most elegant manner. From memory this seems lighter and more reserved than the 2008, but two more years in the importer’s cellar have not done it any harm. If I were being really picky I could venture that the wine lacks a shade of complexity, yet I still feel it is an interesting, thought-provoking and downright delicious drink that just slips down a treat. Australian wines are just never this refined and understated, such minimalist restraint would just scandalise most drinkers of Australian lighter-fluid. Pulsingly good but I think the 2008 is probably better. Shall we check? OK, here goes:
Pinot Noir Coldstream 2008, Mac Forbes
[image image_id=2174 title=”Pinot Noir Coldstream 2008, Mac Forbes” align=”right”] Again, very pale. Don’t worry if Pinot Noir is pale, am I making myself totally clear on this front? Ah now that is a nose of really lovely Pinot; it has layers of rapturous, ambrosial fruit structured to titillate the lover of fine things. There is also a good earthy tang to this, but it is that captivating, nectareous fruit which really yanks my bell-pull. A totally agreeable nose, which is deeper and more complex than the 2006. Yummy, this is a proper Pinot palate; it bursts with delectable fruit with a sleek tannic structure and enchantingly harmonious acidity. Bursting with vibrant life this has, without a doubt, what it needs where it needs it. Clearly a step up from the 2006. It is in a lewdly gratifying stage of evolution at the moment and I feel I should be drinking the rest of mine in the near future so I can enjoy this delectable experience at its most vividly rapturous. Bravo, Mr Forbes!I’m going to lunch with Mac Forbes in a couple of weeks time. I’m looking forward to it, anyone who makes such good wine must be a lovely chap. We’ll be dining at [link2post id=”176″]Hawksmoor[/link2post], which has very reasonable corkage charges on Mondays, so I’ve got to decide what wines to bring. For whites I am torn between kick-arse white Burgundy (in [link2post id=”823″]this style[/link2post]) or a throbbingly vivacious Riesling (in the Fritz Haag/JJ Prum idiom). For reds I want to bring a minimalist, small-scale red Burgundy (such as an 06 version of [link2post id=”51″]this[/link2post]) and a really buttock-bitingly good Grand Cru Burgundy (which one to be decided nearer the time, I’ve got some Dujac in which I quite fancy). If any of you, my dear readers, know Mr Forbes then please ask him if these suggestions are acceptable.
I will put your suggestions to the man himself and report back. But I think that anything described as ‘buttock-bitingly good’ sounds hard to resist.
I would venture that this demands on whether you are doing the biting or if you are the bitten. I once witnessed a member of the Oxford team as a set of teeth were being clamped through his trousers onto his tender flesh. I suspect he is still a little sore over it. So wear your steel underpants, Mac!
David, if you are looking for lightweight Burgundy, I would advise you turn your attentions to 2007s, currently more forward than 2006s. And as an aside, how come you never drink any A&P de Villaine la Digoine? I was actually not a fan of the 07 of that wine, but all the other vintages strike me as minimalist and lovely, in a style you would enjoy.
I meant “depends” rather than “demands”. Where is the edit function when you need it?
Buttock-biting is more enjoyable for spectators than for participants at either end. I would give him some Haag. So very, very not Australian
I didn’t enjoy you biting Matt Barr’s arse; vaguely revolted in all honesty. What came over you to do such a thing?