Mac Forbes Tasting Pack

The Yarra Valley range from Mac Forbs captures the energy and vigour of the whole region. This super-popular quartet has been a staple of the DD range for a decade now and 2024 sees another stellar release from Mac and his team. This pack contains:

• 2024 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
• 2024 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Chardonnay
• 2023 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Syrah
• 2024 Mac Forbes Strathbogie Riesling

2024 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

Mac Forbes has been amongst the loudest voices for site-driven Pinot in the Yarra for nearly two decades, and this regional release is where it all begins. It’s a blend across several vineyards, pulled together to show a snapshot of the Valley in a single bottle.

The 2024 season delivered small crops and steady ripening, giving fruit of good intensity without tipping into heaviness. In the winery it’s all pretty hands-off – whole bunches in the mix, wild ferments, old oak – the aim is perfume, texture and clarity rather than polish.

What ends up in the glass is bright and expressive. Red cherry, cranberry and raspberry sit upfront, with some spice, sap and gentle earthy notes in behind. It's light bodied, silky in texture, with fine tannins and a clean, energetic finish.

A great introduction into the wonderful world of Mac Forbes, and terrific bang for buck.

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2024 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Chardonnay

Mac Forbes has long championed a style of Chardonnay that puts vineyard and season first, and this regional release is the entry point to his approach. Sourced from multiple Yarra Valley sites, it’s designed to give a clear read on the year rather than any single vineyard voice.

The 2024 growing season was on the cooler side with smaller yields, but a warm February ensured the fruit came in with good ripeness and plenty of natural acidity. Winemaking is deliberately restrained – handpicking, wild ferments and older oak – enough to add shape without weighing the wine down.

It's a brisk and focused style of Chardonnay, acidity pulling it long, oak tucked neatly out of the way but adding subtle texture. Always a leaner style of Chardonnay from Mac, but always delicious!

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2023 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Syrah

Mac has worked with Syrah for many years now, looking for a lighter, fresher, spicier version of the variety.

At just 12% in alcohol and with mostly destemmed fruit, wild fermentation and only older oak in use, this sits well and truly in the cool-climate style, but with no shortage of flavour.

Lovers of the spicy side of Syrah will find plenty of joy here. Gorgeous Yarra Syrah for a very modest price.

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2024 Mac Forbes Strathbogie Riesling

Strathbogie Riesling has been a fixture in Mac Forbes’ range for years, drawn from granite soils that sit high and cool to the north-east of the Yarra. The fruit here comes in with natural bite and lift, and Mac’s gentle hand in the winery keeps that precision intact.

The 2024 vintage brought modest crops and even ripening, producing fruit with bright acidity and clean flavour. As always, the approach was minimal – handpicked grapes, wild ferment, and no unnecessary additions. The aim is purity, not polish.

In the glass it’s taut and racy. Lime and green apple lead, with jasmine and a little crushed stone in behind. The palate is linear, tightly coiled, with acidity that drives long and dry. It’s refreshing now but will easily develop more depth and complexity with a few years in bottle.

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