2024 Chardonnay By Farr

Planted in 1994 on the same red-soil-over-limestone site as Sangreal Pinot Noir, this vineyard combines Dijon and Penfolds 58 clones on an exposed north-facing slope. Fruit is hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, with the solids settled out and the juice chilled before transfer to barrel (30% new French oak). Natural fermentation proceeds slowly over one to two months, followed by gentle lees stirring to initiate malolactic. After 11 months’ maturation, the wine is racked, fined, lightly filtered, and bottled.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews....
As always, the Chardonnay by Farr is as good an example of this grape as you will find. It pleases those that read and drink widely and pleases those who don’t care for all the flummery, yet still want great wine. Whichever side you are on, it doesn’t change how the wine tastes. The 2024 Chardonnay by Farr has such a lovely softness and is balanced by a tightrope of acidity. The wine is generous without being too forward, and the complexity of this wine is peerless in my opinion. It has aromatic and ripe fruit expression, but at its heart it is saline and savoury with terrific length. I always try to drink the wine while l write these, which is perhaps why l wrote so many words. It meant l could drink more of this stunning wine.
Ben Knight