Description
This 2012 I believe is their best Pinot to date but this wine is a baby and needs time in cellar .. minimum 5 years before you can go near it! More structured than the Farrside with great palate length, tension, fine ripe tannins and wonderful finesse.
Flagship wine in the By Farr stable. Tout Pres means “closely planted” vines (based on rationale that competition between vines produces more intensely flavoured fruit) 100% whole bunch fermentation produces plenty of savoury, forrest floor complexity.
Winemakers Garry & Nick Farr say … “Tout Pres is our very special and intriguing site. Over only 2.5 acres, it has three individual soil types, across a three sided cirque (an amphitheatre like valley head) that rises above the other vineyards. Each slope consists of a soil type. The largest slope is black volcanic soil of limestone, the second is quartz gravel mixed with red ironstone soil and the third, an iron strand in grey sandy loam. The clones that will acclimatize and mutate over time are currently 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and MV6 in this vineyard to become the Tout Pres clone.
Tout Pres is the most densely planted vineyard on the estate, hence its name “very cosy ” at 7500 vines/ ha. The land is a challenge to farm, but well worth the effort. The soils and competition between the vines force the vines to work hard and not unexpectedly this leads to excellence. The fruit is lush but masculine provides the coveted structure found only in the most age worthy wines.
Tout Pres is made in the same process as the other two pinot but is fermented with 100% whole bunches in a oak fermenter. This wine has the largest flavor profile and intensity to absorb 100% new Allier French barrels. A wine with truly understated power. “
