Description
**NICK FARR – GOURMET TRAVELLER WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR 2020**
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.
Shiraz fruit comes from the original By Farr vineyard, planted in 1994. It lies on a north-facing slope, and the red volcanic soil has a base of limestone with deep-set sandstone.
All fruit is hand-picked from the VSP trellising, with 20 per cent left as whole bunches in the fermentation. Most years we co-ferment between 2 and 4 per cent viognier with the shiraz, the date determining whether or not the former is co-fermented and bled back. It is a natural fermentation, with the fruit remaining in the tank for 19 days before pressing. Shiraz sees 18 months in French oak, 20 per cent being new, and is bottled under vacuum.
A powerful nose, with the depth and complexity of cool-climate shiraz. This wine is spiced with pepper and mineral elements, leaning towards earthy. The co-fermented viognier adds a little richness to both the bouquet and palate, which has a very pleasant sweetness to start, followed by intense fruit and earthy long tannins to complete the delicate structure and overall elegance of the wine. New vintage is here and it looks great.. reminds me touch of the northern Rhone.
Newly released 2019’s are here and as always we expect great things for this pinot. Low yields and a huge increase in demand means our stock is limited. Buy now to avoid disappointment!
Winemaker Nick Farr had this to say about the 2019 vintage ...”A drawn out year that may promise so much as all the fruit was picked with reasonable acidity, fine tannins and elegant flavour.”
98 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review “As the seasons get warmer and harvests come earlier, shiraz in cool climates gets better and better. This is possibly the best yet from the Farr family.
Bright, youthful, deep red-purple colour introduces a bouquet of black pepper, dark berries, some forest-floor whole-bunch ferment touches and a hint of freshly turned earth. It’s stylish and very varietal. The palate is likewise intense and bright, with silky-textured tannins in fine balance, its refreshing acidity inviting the company of food. Brilliant bouquet and flavour: a stunning wine in an elegant southern Victorian style.” 3/1/2022
96 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “The 2018 release was shiraz with a bit of nebbiolo (style) about it; this 2019 is shiraz with a Burgundy leaning. It is just so thoroughly and gorgeously complex. Undergrowth, sweet herb/mescal, stem and roasted spice characters romp through cherry-plum, woodsmoke and violet. It’s a cracking red wine, high in fragrance, charm, character and distinction; it’s impeccably well balanced, not to mention controlled, but it’s also a wine with the wind in its hair, free and flowing. The length of the palate here is outstanding, it really is. Fabulous wine.”
RRP $108 Our Special Price $84.99 – LAST STOCK OF THIS VINTAGE!
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