Size: 750mL

Why you'll love it?

The Farrside vineyard sits on a northeast-facing slope and consists of limestone topped with black volcanic soil. The vines were planted in 2001 and run east-west to protect the fruit from overexposure to the sun. The clones are a mixture of 114, 115, 777, 667 and MV6. Even though the Farrside and Sangreal vineyards are only 300 metres apart, the darker soils and cooler growing conditions of the Farrside vineyard mean these grapes are picked 10 to 12 days after all others and produce a more masculine and edgy wine.

The fruit is hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard, then fermented in an open-top fermenter. Between 40 to 50 per cent of the fruit will be stemmed and then cold soaked for four days. We use only the natural yeast for the fermentation process, which takes roughly 12 days. Grape-stomping (known as pigeage) will occur two to three times a day depending on the amount of extraction required, and the wine is then placed in 50 to 60 per cent new Allier barrels by gravity. It is racked by gas after secondary fermentation, then again at 18 months to be bottled.

Tastes Like?

 Farrside, with each vintage continues to show more masculinity, structure and savoury components than the other two pinots. Deep fruit with spicy, meat notes and mineral. The flavours which continue to evolve Farrside as a site and wine. A rich array of red and black fruits, it is fresh and full. A full yet delicate wine with a long textured finish. Bucket loads of character. (Winemaker's notes)

 “Full red colour with a good purple tinge, the bouquet stemmy and complex, its whole-bunch aspects very overt, with root vegetable and earthy overtones. A hint of leather. Traces of blackberry fruit emerging with airing. The palate is fruit-sweet and succulent, deliciously flavoured and lush, with softness and charm to burn. An utterly gorgeous wine. Long finish – real concentration. Balance and texture are its highlights. 96 points.” Huon Hooke, The Real Review August 2017