26-Oct-2017
The Arneis variety, native to Piedmonte in Italy is one of a number of alternative whites that are being evaluated for suitability in New Zealand. John Forrest is certainly among the keenest to trial innovative wines and styles, and he has had the variety in the ground since 2006, planted in the stony section of the Gibson’s Creek vineyard in the centre of the Wairau Valley. The first release was the 2008 vintage. Although not seen as a wine that is meant for long-term cellaring, it has the ability to keep relatively well. Forrest Wines has held back a small amount of the 2013 to see how well it has aged, and they deem it as developing nicely. They will be putting it out in a Library Release soon. Here is my review of the wine. I agree with their assessment, the wine having intensified with time in bottle. www.forrest.co.nz
