2014 By Farr Farrside Pinot Noir

The Farrside vineyard consists of black volcanic soil over limestone on a northeast facing slope. The vine rows run east/west to shade the fruit from over exposure. It is made up with a mixture of 114, 115, 777, 667 and MV6 clones. Matured in 50-60% new Allier French oak barrels for 18 months.

Deep, near opaque dark red colour with black tinged edges and a dark crimson red hue. Perfumed scents of violets are intertwined with dark cherries and ripe strawberries overlaid by clove with some distinct meatiness and spicy dried herb notes following on. Rich, yet perhaps fractionally lighter in weight than the previous couple of vintages and a touch fresher, the palate delivers powerful flavours of spicy ripe dark cherries and strawberries intermeshed with toasty cedar, dried meats and subtle clove nuances. Elegant supple textural feel with very finely grained, well-structured tannins providing the framework. Long aftertaste of spicy ripe dark cherries, dark strawberries, subtle clove, dried meats and spicy cedar.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc 13.5%

Other reviews...
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.
98 Points
James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion