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. 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.
The By Farr chardonnay comes from the same site as the Sangreal pinot noir—composed of red soil over limestone—and was planted in 1994. The limestone of this site is not exposed on the surface as at other sites. The limestone starts 20 to 30cm below the surface, to the depths of the root zone of the vines. It is a very exposed north-facing slope. The clones used for the chardonnay are a mixture of Dijon clones and Penfolds 58.
The fruit is hand-picked then whole-bunch pressed in the winery. All the solids are collected and chilled before being put to barrel, which are 30 per cent new French oak. A natural fermentation will occur at cool temperatures over the next one to two months, and then a small amount of stirring helps start malolactic fermentation. The wine is then racked, fined and lightly filtered before bottling 11 months after picking. A very mineral site for chardonnay.
The trademark characteristics of the wine produced on our site are understated power and length with a mineral finish. The wine has a great fruit expression that is well integrated with French oak. The soil characteristics have come through in the style of wine we have today. The palate is fine but firm, with great acidity, texture and length. This wine is rich in flavour, yet very refined.
About the vintage from the winemaker: “A year full of Passion, Persistence and Patience. An amazingly challenging, yet rewarding vintage, has been produced from the 2021 vintage.
Rainfall and humidity certainly challenged us throughout the growing season, but persistent humidity was met with a persistent, passionate and determined approach to really create some special wines from conditions rarely seen in Bannockburn. The team did an amazing job to keep the vineyard’s canopies open and clean of disease. The moist and mild conditions from November through to early February finished with some great finishing temperatures and sunlight to sustain the great natural acidity and flavour that had built over the final month before picking started on the 9th of March. Very quickly during fermentation a great finesse and length was apparent in the wines. In barrel the freshness of acidity, fine tannins and best of all savoury and elegant fruit flavours certainly suggested that we have a strong vintage to show, come release.
“Super sleek, intense nose, thrilling acid lines, of ripe citrus and river pebbles. It’s mouth-watering, saline and brimming with nervous energy. This shows an understanding of acid like few can. Amazing power for a wine of this weight, it is hard to imagine where the flavour is hiding. Beyond impressive.”
Reviews of 2021:
Top Australian Winery for 2022 and 95 points from Huon Hooke’s The Real Review “Reserved, quiet bouquet of stone fruits including white peach and pear, a hint of fresh-baked bread, the palate delicate and restrained, soft and round, with a clean, dry finish enhanced by a trace of grip. There’s good intensity and the wine has a seamless balance. It should build richness and complexity with a little more time.”
95 points, Campbell Mattinson for Halliday Wine Companion “The layering of both flavour and texture here is as classical as they come. This is a beautiful chardonnay, bright with stonefruit, citrus and pear-like flavours and complexed by hay, earth, cedar and flint. It feels juicy and joyous on the one hand, and elegant and controlled on the other. The unifying factor is the wine’s all-round deliciousness. Drink 2024 to 2031”
Discounted due to slight label imperfection (issue bottling line)
Our Price $109.99 – LAST AVAILABLE STOCK OF THIS WINE.
