2016 By Farr Tout Pres Pinot Noir

A touch over 2.5 acres, the Tout Pres vineyard has three individual soil types across a three-sided cirque (an amphitheatre-like valley head) that rises above the other vineyards. Each slope consists of a soil type. The largest slope is black volcanic soil of limestone, the second is quartz gravel mixed with red ironstone soil and the third, an iron strand in grey sandy loam. Being the most densely planted vineyard on the estate the soils and intense competition force the vines to work hard, resulting in fruit that is lush but masculine and provides the coveted structure found only in the most age worthy wines. Tout Pres is fermented with 100% whole bunches and is matured in 100% new Allier French oak.

Deep dark red colour with black tinged edges and a semi translucent dark red hue. Very perfumed violet top notes sail out of the glass closely followed by dark cherries and ripe strawberries laced with dried clove, earthy forest floor characters, dried meats, lightly smoked cedar and spicy herbs. Supple and exceptionally powerful it overshadows the highly acclaimed 2015 vintage with an extra dimension of richness, and the whole bunch, dried clove like characters are not nearly as prominent. The palate is consumed with mouthfilling flavours of spicy ripe dark cherries, strawberries, subtle infusions of clove, forest floor characters, lightly toasted cedar and dried herbs. Perfectly integrated silky smooth tannins finishing extraordinarily long.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%