By Farr Tout Pres Geelong Pinot Noir 2019

This is another pinot masterpiece from the experienced hands of Gary Farr. Super concentrated and commanding, it has the classic iron fist in a velvet-glove style of powerful elegance. The nose is composed and fragrant with rich dark-cherry fruits, bergamot, fresh foresty aromas and cola; oak is beautifully integrated. The palate has impeccable balance from start to finish. Dense and yet silky. The tannins build evenly and the wine flows effortlessly, delivering dark spiced cherry flavor with essence-like concentration. This has all the class of Grand Cru Burgundy. Drink now and for up to 10+ years.

From a 1ha vineyard in an amphitheatre with three different soil types, 6 clones mutated into a single Tout Pres clone planted at 7300 vines per ha, normally 100% whole bunches in a single 5-tonne open fermenter. An extra year may be part of the reason, the vintage another part, why this is radically different to the other Pinots in the portfolio? The Farrs themselves would say it's the vineyard's unique terroir, including the ultra-close planting. Its the most savoury of the Pinots, but not so savoury that it diminishes the dark cherry/berry fruit and sweet spices at the heart of the wine.

Pale ruby-purple in color, the 2012 Tout Pres Pinot Noir has an earthy/forest floor character over a good core of redcurrants and rhubarb with touches of black loam and Provence herbs. Light to medium-bodied, it packs a wonderful intensity of earthy flavors into an ethereal weight with a solid backbone of chewy tannins and lively acid, finishing with great length.