By Farr New Releases

 The By Farr labels seem to say 'Don't look at the label, try the wine', so we will not look at it.

The 2021 By Farr Chardonnay shows cool climate citrus flavours with firm acidity. It is a good wine, but I find nothing very special about it (92/+ points).

This is different when it comes to Pinot Noir. It is fascinating to compare the two major wines, from vineyards next to each other. The 2020 By Farr Farrside is a light red, a little cloudy. The strawberry notes from the bouquet carry forward to the palate. There is forest floor as well. The main feature, though, is the bony and mineral structure of this wine. There is ironstone in the soil, and you can taste it (even though scientists will not approve). The 2020 By Farr Sangreal is remarkably different. The colour is dark, and black cherry flavours dominate. The fruit flavours are quite big in this lush wine. This is an elegant wine with softer tannins. Will the structure hold up to the fruit? This is not obvious now, but it probably will. If you are a Burgundy drinker, the Farrside would be Chevrey-Chambertin and the Sangreal Vosne-Romanée. A blend of the two, with the structure of Farrside, and the fruit of Sangreal would have been ideal for me. (Both wines 95/++)

The Shiraz is an interesting story. The vineyard was planted 90/10 to Shiraz and Viognier. The Farrs than found out that a 10% Viognier contribution makes the wine taste like Viognier. Now the contribution is 4%. The remainder is now bottled as a straight Viognier. The 2020 By Farr Shiraz shows great purity of fruit. It is delicate with excellent blackberry character. It would have been outstanding as a 100% Shiraz. Unfortunately, even the 4% Viognier has significant influence and dulls the wine somewhat. Still, a high quality drink (93/0 points).