2016 Farrside By Farr 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 dark red core with black tinged edges and a bright light red hue. The nose is a perfumed symphony of violets intermingling with ripe red and dark cherries, strawberries and dried clove aromatics. Adding further complexity are nuances of meat, forest floor and spicy cedar. Light in body but with fantastic underlying power, expansive flavours of ripe red cherries, strawberries, a dash of sour cherries infused with meaty characters and subtle dried clove tones fan out across the palate. Elements of forest floor, light vanillin cedar and spicy dried herbs ensue. There’s a beautiful suppleness to the fruit with the finish bursting with freshness. Vibrant balanced acidity and slightly dryish, finely grained tannins provide the perfect framework and provide tension. Very long conclusion of ripe red cherries, strawberries, subtle clove, some meatiness, vanillin cedar, forest floor and spice. Fresher, with the fruit leaning more towards the red side than darker side of the Sangreal, this is a very serious Pinot Noir to cellar.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews…
Here 40– 50% of the grapes are destemmed, the remainder left as whole bunches, and this increases complexity with its foresty, gamey (in the good sense), spicy overlay to the black cherry and plum fruit. The outstanding feature of the wine is its weight, suspended by some magic just above the palate – you sense it rather than taste it.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion