By Farr Sangreal Pinot Noir 2021
By Farr is a family-owned brand that was established in 1994 by Robyn and Gary Farr on a north-facing slope in the township of Bannockburn, located in the Moorabool Valley between Geelong and Ballarat, 100km southwest of Melbourne. The original wines included Chardonnay by Farr, Viognier by Farr, Shiraz by Farr and Pinot Noir by Farr, which is now known as Sangreal by Farr. Over time, with the help of Cassie and Nick, the vineyards have expanded to adjoining neighboring properties, resulting in greater expression of the single-site wines that we have today. The wines of By Farr are renowned for their complexity, layered structure and undeniable length, making them highly regarded by both consumers for their drinkability and age worthiness and critics around the world for their individuality. The Farr estate is located in the Moorabool Valley between Geelong and Ballarat, 100km southwest of Melbourne. Gary and Robyn Farr purchased the original property in 1994, followed by a second section in 1998, which had been untouched for almost 40 years and consisted of dense boxthorn and noxious weeds. The final piece of the puzzle, which links the two blocks of land, was purchased by Nick and Cassie Farr in 2011, making a total of 130 acres. Nick and Gary Farr stand side by side but aren't afraid to go head-to-head when their opinions differ. Each generation has developed a distinctive winemaking style based on their individual experience and taste, resulting in their respective lines - By Farr by Gary and Farr Rising by Nick - receiving critical acclaim both in Australia and overseas.
The Sangreal vineyard, their oldest vineyard, was planted in 1994 on a north-facing slope. The soil composition is bluestone and overlaying limestone, with red ironstone coloring the surface, unlike their other vineyards, which are mostly black volcanic soil with heavy amounts of limestone on the surface. The vine rows run north-south, receiving full sun exposure throughout the day, resulting in more perfumed, prettier wines. This is always the first vineyard to be harvested. The clones used in Sangreal are 114 and 115, which they believe have mutated over time to become the 'Sangreal clone,' now within its own microclimate.
The By Farr Sangreal Pinot Noir 2021 is a stunning wine that showcases the best of the Sangreal vineyard's unique characteristics. The wine is consistently made with 70 percent whole bunch and aged in 70 percent new oak. It is fermented in a five-tonne oak barrel with an open-top fermenter and cold soaked for four days before a natural fermentation of seven to nine days. Once the cap falls, the tank is pressed. The wine is racked only once after malolactic fermentation, then sulphured and bottled, the entire process taking a total of 18 months. The wine is unfined and unfiltered in order to retain its natural flavor and bouquet. On the palate, the Sangreal Pinot Noir 2021 is seductive, perfumed and has a seamless balance that is truly moreish. It is a site that wavers very little in more difficult vintages and excels in the great ones, making it the backbone of By Farr wines. The alluring characters of this vineyard, combined with red fruits, whole bunch, acidity and oak, have produced a beautifully interwoven expression of site and vintage. That's what it's all about. The By Farr Sangreal Pinot Noir 2021 is a wine that reflects the Farr family's passion for winemaking and the unique terroir of the Moorabool Valley. The use of whole bunch and new oak results in a wine that is complex and layered, with a seamless balance that is truly mesmerizing. This is a wine that will age gracefully and is sure to please even the most discerning of palates.
Persistence and Patience. An amazingly challenging, yet rewarding vintage, has been produced from the 2021 vintage. Rainfall and humidity certainly challenged us throughout the growing season, but persistent humidity was met with a persistent, passionate and determined approach to really create some special wines from conditions rarely seen in Bannockburn. The team did an amazing job to keep the vineyard's canopies open and clean of disease. The moist and mild conditions from November through to early February finished with some great finishing temperatures and sunlight to sustain the great natural acidity and flavour that had built over the final month before picking started on the 9th of March. Very quickly during fermentation a great finesse and length was apparent in the wines. In barrel the freshness of acidity, fine tannins and best of all savoury and elegant fruit flavours certainly suggested that we have a strong vintage to show, come release. - Vintage Notes By Nick Farr
There’s no wall flowers in the Farr winery and these Pinots are testament to that. It’s immediately engaging, it’s got something to say. Big aromatic spice notes, whole bunch influence, ripe fruit and an exotic character that really draws you in. It has a lovely softness, but it doesn’t offer this at the expense of structure. The acid line is en pointe, and it needs to be with so much happening in this wine. These change the script when it comes to Australian Pinot Noir, they are peerless. - Tasting Notes by Nick Farr
"Each year the same descriptive notes come to mind for this wine: seductive, perfumed, seamless balance and moreish. It is a site that wavers very little in more difficult vintages and excels in the great ones—this is the backbone of By Farr wines. The alluring characters of this vineyard, combined with red fruits, whole bunch, acidity and oak, have produced a beautifully interwoven expression of site and vintage." - Wine by Farr
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Geelong, Victoria
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%