By Farr Farrside Geelong Pinot Noir 2021

By Farr Farrside Geelong Pinot Noir 2021

 

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By Farr
Farrside Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Victoria
  • Subregion : Geelong
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Light Fruity Red
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Pinot Noir

The By Farr Farrside Geelong Pinot Noir is a robust and sophisticated wine, showcasing the nuanced complexity and structured elegance that is characteristic of the Farrside vineyard.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 94 2018
JS James Suckling 93 2016
JH James Halliday 98 2014
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Geelong, located in Victoria, Australia, is known for its cool maritime climate which is ideal for producing high-quality Pinot Noir. The Farrside vineyard is situated on a northeast-facing slope and is composed of limestone topped with black volcanic soil. This unique soil composition, coupled with the vineyard's orientation, helps protect the grapes from overexposure to the sun while retaining moisture.

The vines were planted in 2001 and run east-west. The clones used in this vineyard include 114, 115, 777, 667, and MV6. Despite being only 300 meters apart from the Sangreal vineyard, the darker soils and cooler growing conditions at Farrside result in a later harvest by about 10 to 12 days, producing a wine that is more masculine and edgy.

Winemaking

The winemaking process for the By Farr Farrside Geelong Pinot Noir involves meticulous care and traditional techniques. The fruit is hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard to ensure only the highest quality grapes are used. The grapes are then fermented in an open-top fermenter, with 40 to 50 percent of the fruit destemmed and cold soaked for four days to extract color and flavor.

Natural yeast is used for the fermentation, which lasts approximately 12 days. Pigeage (grape stomping) is conducted two to three times a day to achieve the desired level of extraction. Post-fermentation, the wine is placed in 50 to 60 percent new Allier barrels by gravity. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is racked by gas, first after the secondary fermentation and then again at 18 months before bottling.

Did you know?

By Farr is a family-owned winery, and the Farrside Pinot Noir is a testament to the extensive winemaking experience of Gary Farr. Gary's work in Burgundy, France, particularly at Domaine Dujac, has greatly influenced the winemaking style and practices at By Farr, leading to wines that are both refined and expressive.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep ruby red with brilliant clarity.
  • Aroma: Complex aromas of red and black fruits, meaty and spicy notes with a hint of minerality.
  • Palate: This wine exhibits masculine and structured characteristics with flavors of deep, meaty, and spicy notes. It has a balanced array of red and black fruits, a fresh and edgy profile, firm yet delicate tannins, and a long-textured finish.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Tournedos Rossini: The richness and complexity of the Pinot Noir perfectly complement this sophisticated dish of beef fillet with foie gras, truffles, and Madeira sauce.
  • Coq au Vin: This French classic with its deep flavors and tender texture harmonizes beautifully with the spicy and fruity notes of the Farrside Pinot Noir.
  • Aged Cheeses: A selection of aged cheeses, such as Comté, truffled Brie, and Roquefort, finds an excellent partner in this Pinot Noir, whose structure and finesse balance the intense flavors of the cheeses.
  • Roast Pork with Apples and Spices: The sweetness of the apples and the spices in the roast pork pair deliciously with the fruity aromas and elegant tannins of the wine.

History of By Farr Estate

The By Farr estate is situated in the Moorabool Valley between Geelong and Ballarat, approximately 100 km southwest of Melbourne. This region has a rich viticultural history dating back over 200 years, with Swiss settlers planting Victoria’s first vineyards in the early 1800s. The estate’s volcanic soil and continental climate produce premium fruit with distinctive flavor, bouquet, and color unique to the area.

Gary and Robyn Farr purchased the original property in 1994, expanding it in 1998 by acquiring an adjacent section that had been untouched for nearly 40 years. In 2011, Nick and Cassie Farr acquired the final piece of land linking the two blocks, resulting in a total of 130 acres, of which 36 acres are under vine. The remainder is used for grazing and cropping for cattle and horses. The estate cultivates a variety of grapes including Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Shiraz.

Gary Farr, known for his meticulous winemaking approach, has been a prominent figure in the Moorabool Valley since 1978. His techniques and dedication have inspired a generation of winemakers.

His son, Nick Farr, continues the family legacy with his own distinctive style, combining his experiences from international vineyards with his father’s teachings.

Region and Vineyards

The Moorabool Valley’s microclimate is influenced by winds from the western plains and sea breezes, which regulate temperature and cool the air overnight. This climate is essential for producing naturally balanced, low-yield fruit rich in flavor. The region's cool and harsh environment, characterized by low rainfall and prevailing winds, contributes to the complexity of the wines.

The vineyards are based on ancient river deposits with complex, mineral-rich soils. There are six different soil types across the Farr property, including rich, friable red and black volcanic loam, limestone, quartz gravel through red volcanic soil, ironstone (buckshot) in grey sandy loam, sandstone base, and volcanic lava rock. These soils provide good drainage and low fertility, ensuring small yields of intensely flavored fruit.

Wine Range: By Farr by Gary Farr

Gary Farr's line, By Farr, is a collection of meticulously crafted wines that highlight his extensive experience and dedication to traditional winemaking techniques. These wines are known for their elegance, complexity, and age-worthy potential, each reflecting the unique terroir of the Moorabool Valley.

  • Sangreal Pinot Noir is the flagship wine of By Farr, showcasing the oldest vineyard planted in 1994. The north-facing slope with bluestone and limestone soils produces a wine that is consistently seductive, perfumed, and seamlessly balanced. It is known for its seductive bouquet, seamless balance, and long, elegant finish.
  • Farrside Pinot Noir comes from a vineyard with darker soils and cooler growing conditions, resulting in a more masculine and edgy wine. This wine is known for its structure, savory components, and a balanced array of red and black fruits. It exhibits deep meaty, spicy, and mineral flavors with firm yet delicate tannins and a long-textured finish.
  • Tout Pres Pinot Noir is from a densely planted vineyard with three different soil types, adding to its complexity. This wine has the largest flavor profile and intensity among By Farr's Pinots, absorbing 100% new French oak. It is known for its primary and secondary flavors of plums and undergrowth, with an edgy acidity and a tightly packed structure.
  • GC Chardonnay (Gary Charles) is a tribute to Gary's extensive knowledge and expertise. The vineyard features a mixture of suitable clones and rootstocks planted on exposed côtes with varied soil types. The wine undergoes natural fermentation in French oak barrels and malolactic fermentation, resulting in a creamy texture, vibrant acidity, and a long, mineral-driven finish.
  • By Farr Viognier is crafted from meticulously tended vines, ensuring only the best fruit is harvested. The winemaking process involves whole bunch pressing and fermentation in French oak barrels, enhancing the wine's complexity and subtle oak nuances. It is known for its intense and complex aromas of apricot, peach, and honeysuckle, with a rich and full-bodied palate.
  • By Farr Shiraz combines traditional techniques with innovative practices, such as co-fermenting with Viognier. The wine is known for its powerful nose, depth, and complexity, with spiced pepper, mineral elements, and earthy undertones. It has a pleasant sweetness to start, followed by intense fruit and earthy tannins, leading to a delicate structure and overall elegance.

Did you know?

Gary Farr is celebrated for producing what legendary wine connoisseur Len Evans called “Australia’s best Pinot”. Gary’s experience spans prestigious vineyards in Burgundy, Oregon, and California. His commitment to traditional techniques and the expression of terroir has set a benchmark in Australian winemaking.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2018)
The medium-ruby 2018 Farrside Pinot Noir is just another exhibit in the case that color intensity and flavor intensity—particularly in Pinot Noir—have little to do with one another. The wine features complex aromas of black tea, roses, grilled plums and fresh raspberries, and those notes are repeated on the medium-bodied palate. There's a bit more expansiveness to this wine compared to the Sangreal, and the tannins are even silkier here, but quality-wise the two wines are basically equivalent.

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2016)
This delivers a very complex, rather full, ripe and dense pinot with a savory nose, delivering aromas of spiced earth, forest berries and dried red plums. The palate has plenty of power, muscular dark cherries and red plums, which are framed in bold, sinewy tannins. Try this in a few years. Best from 2022.

James Halliday (JH) : 98 Points (2014)
Clones 114, 115, 667 and MV6, hand-picked and sorted, 60-70% destemmed, 4 days cold soak, wild-fermented, pigeaged 2-3 times daily, matured for 18 months in French oak (50-60% new). Good colour; the bouquet, while complex, is the calm before the storm of the palate, which strikes the second the wine enters the mouth, and doesn?t abate until long after the wine has gone from the glass. Its great character is the fusion of plum/black cherry fruit with a savoury carpet of spices and sweet earth. Quite simply, a very great pinot.

By Farr Sangreal Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
By Farr Sangreal Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
By Farr
Sangreal Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
RP
94
JS
95
JH
97
The By Farr Sangreal Geelong Pinot Noir is an exquisite wine from the oldest vineyard at By Farr. Planted in 1994, the Sangreal vineyard consistently produces wines that are seductive, perfumed, and seamlessly balanced.
75,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
By Farr Tout Pres Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
By Farr Tout Pres Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
By Farr
Tout Pres Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
JS
94
The By Farr Tout Pres Geelong Pinot Noir is a compelling wine from a unique and challenging vineyard. Planted in 2001, the Tout Pres vineyard is renowned for its intriguing terroir and dense planting, resulting in a wine of great structure and complexity.
105,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
By Farr Geelong Chardonnay 2022
By Farr Geelong Chardonnay 2022
By Farr
Geelong Chardonnay 2022
RP
93
JS
94
JH
96
The By Farr Geelong Chardonnay is a sophisticated and nuanced wine, showcasing the elegance and complexity of cool-climate Chardonnay from the Geelong region.
62,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
By Farr RP Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
By Farr RP Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
By Farr
RP Geelong Pinot Noir 2021
DCT
96
JS
94
The By Farr RP Geelong Pinot Noir is a tribute to Robyn Pamela Farr, the matriarch of the Farr family. This wine reflects her dedication and contribution to the vineyard over the decades.
86,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
By Farr Geelong Shiraz 2021
By Farr Geelong Shiraz 2021
By Farr
Geelong Shiraz 2021
BC
98
RP
92
The By Farr Geelong Shiraz is a powerful and elegant expression of Shiraz, enhanced by the unique terroir of Geelong and meticulous winemaking practices.
62,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
By Farr Geelong Viognier 2021
By Farr Geelong Viognier 2021
By Farr
Geelong Viognier 2021
JS
94
The By Farr Geelong Viognier is a refined and delicate expression of Viognier, offering a blend of fresh peach and apricot flavors with a subtle ginger-flavored freshness.
56,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
By Farr GC Geelong Chardonnay 2022
By Farr GC Geelong Chardonnay 2022
By Farr
GC Geelong Chardonnay 2022
JS
95
The By Farr GC Geelong Chardonnay, named after Gary Charles Farr, is a testament to the extensive knowledge and experience Gary Farr has brought to the vineyard. This wine represents the pinnacle of Chardonnay production at By Farr, with its exceptional quality and refined character.
86,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
64,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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