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By Farr Tout Pres Pinot Noir 2016

$129.99

Exceptional vintage for the flagship wine in the By Farr stable.

Out of stock

Categories: , Product ID: 10967

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.

Tout Pres was planted in 2001 and is a very special and intriguing site. It rises above the other vineyards, and each of the three slopes consists of a different soil type. The largest slope is black volcanic soil over limestone; the second is quartz gravel mixed with red ironstone; the third is an iron strand in grey sandy loam. The clones, which will acclimatise and mutate over time to become the ‘Tout Pres clone’, are 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and MV6.

With 7300 vines per half-acre, Tout Pres is the most densely planted vineyard on the estate—hence its name, which translates as “very cosy”. This land is a challenge to farm, but well worth the effort. The soils and close competition force the vines to work hard, with the result being fruit that is lush but masculine, and which provides the coveted structure found only in the most age-worthy wines.

Tout Pres is made using the same process as the other two pinots. It is fermented with 100 per cent whole bunches (80 per cent in 2011) in a five-tonne oak fermenter. This wine has the largest flavour profile and intensity, to absorb 100 per cent new French oak from Allier. A wine with truly understated power and richness—the classic peacock’s tail.

With every year that passes, the Tout Près vineyard’s subtleness and delicate fruit structure are becoming increasingly pronounced in the wine. The bouquet fills the glass with spicy fruit, mineral elements and a hint of integrated French oak, with the darkness and essence of the Moorabool Valley true expressions of site.”  Nick Farr.

Previous vintage 2015 was Top Rated Pinot Noir in James Halliday’s 2019 Australian Wine Companion … 99 points…This wine has a depth to its silently throbbing power from the moment it enters the mouth to the lingering aftertaste. It would be impossible to buy a Burgundy of this quality for less than $250. Bravo.”

About the 2016 vintage by Nick Farr  … “Integrated and intriguingly complex on the nose. Really want to dive in. Where the RP’s pure fruit leads the way, Tout Près is a true bouquet – rose petals, nutty oak, sweet spices, bunchy notes and red and darker berries. Like the nose, the palate looks so settled so young. Tannins are so elegant, too – silky and somehow dissolving yet present, framing the palate and giving lovely mouthfeel as those flavour impressions ripple through. Thrilling wine – intense, intricately layered and long, and so together. Beautifully composed in every sense.” Nick Farr

96 points, Ned Goodwin for Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2020The more elevated of the sites, with plenty of limestone, ironstone and loam serving as the chassis to volcanic, gravel and iron strand bodywork. The vines are dense, echoing Burgundy. While the other wines in the swag incorporate a generous seasoning of whole-bunch, this is 100% non-destemmed. This is a wine of a spicy, root spice-chinotto astringency meshed to a chiaroscuro of lighter, darker and exotic fruit references. Edgy, spiky and of compelling depth. The least showy, yet the depth and intensity augur for a wonderful future.”

94 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front  “Malt on red cherry, cranberry, nougat and spice. Chewy in the palate, licked at by nutty oak and malty notes, touches of green herb and pepper. Good length, good intensity, you’ll have to like body and oomph, but does a good job of that. Power and poise.”

Limited 

Additional information

Producer

By Farr

Region or Country

Australia, Geelong

Variety

Pinot Noir

Vintage

2016

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