Gary Farr is one of the most iconic winemakers in the country. He was responsible for taking Bannockburn Vineyards in Geelong to the startling heights it reached; one of the benchmark producers of Burgundian varieties in the country. His own label, By Farr, is considered to be Australia’s leading producer of those same varieties. The Farr vineyards are based in the Moorabool Valley in Geelong, with a wide array of ancient soils resulting in small yields of incredibly intensely flavoured Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz and Viognier. With Gary’s son Nick now pulling the winemaking reigns alongside his father, this is a project set to dominate Geelong wine for years to come.
99 Points James Halliday
From a 1ha vineyard in an amphitheatre with three different soil types, six clones mutated into a single Tout Pres clone planted at 7300 vines per ha, the densest planting on the estate, hence Tout Pres translating to ‘very cosy’, 100% whole bunches open-fermented, matured in new French (Allier) oak. What a difference a year makes, especially when one vintage (’15) is brilliant. This wine has a depth to its silently throbbing power from the moment it enters the mouth to the lingering aftertaste. It would be impossible to buy a Burgundy of this quality for less than $250. Bravo. Drink by 2040.
