By Farr Farrside Pinot Noir 2013

Description

Gary Farr is one of Australia’s Pinot pioneers and knows more about Pinot than anyone!  He began at Bannockburn wines in the 80’s and with his son Nick (combined) they have done 20 vintages at Domaine Dujac in Morey-St-Denis in Burgundy.   Their vineyard (planted in 1994) is located at Bannockburn (near Geelong) and planted on volcanic soils over limestone. Their winemaking influence is very Burgundian (natural yeast, whole bunch fermentation and long maceration for the reds) to produce wines that reflect their terroir with pure primary fruit characters and savoury depth, structure and longevity.   I regard their Pinots and Chardonnay as up there with the best in land. …Their wines are rated in the Top Ten wines in their categories every year in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion.

This is By Farr’s most masculine pinot, a wine of robust structure and savouriness (due to the black volcanic soils I am assured and more stems in ferment -55 % whole bunch fermentation).   Mix of Dijon clones, wild fermentation, followed by 18 months in 50% new French oak. This pinot is top shelf.

From the winery … “Each vintage of Farrside pinot noir exhibits more masculinity, structure and savoury components, while deep meaty, spicy and mineral flavours also continue to evolve. A balanced array of red and black fruits, Farrside pinot noir is fresh and edgy with bucketloads of character. This is a firm yet delicate wine with a long-textured finish.”

Nick Farr called 2013 a “… very expressive vintage ..”  that “.. speaks of fruitfulness and richness … deliciousness and approachability …With every day of bottle age, the wines are becoming silker and seductive.  Good rainfall in winter set vines up well for good growing season which was warm & dry in 2013.   Where the 2012’s and 2010’s are very structured and need further time in the cellar, we love the beautiful aromatics and approachability of the 2013’s which will be drinking beautifully over the next 5 or 6 years.

96 Points – Campbell Mattinson, THE WINE FRONT   “Started in on the new By Farr wines late last week before a cold/flu set in. The Farrside is as far as I got. Nick Farr refers to the 2013s as “crowd pleasers”.  This is a beauty. Seduction plus. Certified yum. Swish oak, spiced cherry-plum, exquisite integration of various savoury nuances and length to burn. It’s rich and generous but firm and complex. Its smoky, slinky, satiny mouthfeel is to die for. For sheer top-end drinkability; it’s sensational.”
RRP $88