By Farr Farrside Pinot Noir 2022

The Farrside vineyard sits just 300 metres from By Farr's Sangreal vineyard, yet produces completely different wines due to its darker soils and cooler microclimate. This cooler site delays harvest by 10-12 days compared to other estate vineyards, allowing for extended hang time that develops more complex mineral and savoury characteristics. It's a perfect example of how terroir can dramatically influence wine style even within the same property.

While Geelong is known for elegant, cool-climate Pinot Noir, this Farrside expression pushes into darker, more structured territory than the region's typical profile. The extended growing season and unique soil composition create an 'edgier' wine with pronounced mineral backbone, contrasting with Geelong's generally fruit-forward style. It showcases how individual vineyard sites can transcend regional expectations while still expressing their cool-climate origins.

The wine's dark, brooding character and mineral edge make it ideal for heartier dishes than typical light-bodied Pinot Noir. Think roasted duck with cherry sauce, mushroom risotto, or aged hard cheeses where the wine's savoury complexity can shine. The sour cherry and spice notes also complement game birds, while the mineral backbone cuts through rich, earthy preparations beautifully.

Campbell Mattinson's exceptional 95+ point score reflects the wine's successful expression of a challenging terroir and the Farr family's winemaking expertise. The wine demonstrates remarkable site specificity - achieving complexity and structure while maintaining elegance in a light-bodied frame. Critics recognise this as a benchmark example of how cool-climate Australian Pinot Noir can rival Burgundian expressions through meticulous vineyard management and terroir expression.

While approachable now, this structured Pinot Noir will reward patience due to its mineral backbone and concentrated fruit profile. The extended hang time and darker soils have created a wine with more tannin structure than typical light-bodied Pinots, suggesting 5-8 years of cellaring potential. Current drinking reveals the primary raspberry and sour cherry fruits, while aging will integrate the spice elements and develop tertiary complexity.