Mac Forbes Chardonnay Yarra Valley 2020

100% Chardonnay. There always seems to always be a lot going on in the small operation that Mac Forbes set out on in 2004. It’s not because he’s making a lot of noise, but because it is truly thoughtful, dedicated, and pioneering work that is helping shape the direction of Yarra Valley viticulture and there is a captivated following. Born and raised across the road from the iconic Mt. Mary Vineyards, Mac’s inspiration was one of Australia’s best small, terroir-driven wineries in Australia. Mac’s attitude to wine growing has been shaped by subsequent vintages at Mt. Mary and many years in Europe with some iconic winemakers, in France, Portugal, and Austria. His passion for the wine industry is a pretty simple one, craft honest wines that reflect extraordinary sites. Returning to Australia in 2004, Mac commenced his own wine label ‘Mac Forbes’, determined to marry some of the old world philosophies adapted to his beloved Yarra Valley. The focus is on single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, exploring how different subregions and vineyards in the Yarra Valley express themselves through naturally crafted Burgundian varieties. Mac’s Pinot’s are always hand-harvested, bunch sorted, wild yeast fermented with a small percentage whole bunch included. The wines see 11 months in French oak with a minor portion new and are left unfined and unfiltered. The Chardonnay is made with similar intent, though destemmed before pressed into old oak for a natural barrel ferment with a slight touch of sulfur. The Chardonnay Yarra Valley label is an entry-level into his wines with the wine coming from declassified barrels from their single-vineyard sites. It represents a snapshot of the Upper Yarra and the valley floor from that vintage. Medium to light body, high acid, this wine is giving bright green apple, lemon pith and juice, jasmine, and white peach with a slight salinity at the end. Explore why we love Australian wine so much and why most of it doesn't make it out of the country (cause they're so good!)