Irrewarra Pinot Noir Geelong 2020

Description

We have long been followers of Nick and Garry Farr of By Farr who are some of our personal Pinot superstars! Irrewarra is a new project of theirs, and the name is an Aboriginal term meaning “long spear throw”, and it’s partly the thrill of the hunt that drew Nick Farr to this area, approximately 150 kilometres south-west of Melbourne near Colac 40 odd kms from Bass Strait. The slope is a mixture of grey sandy clay loams at the south end, to dark brown loams with fragments of buckshot and quartz gravels towards the north – all with underlying brown to yellow clays. Vineyard owners John and Bronwyn Calvert, of Irrewarra Sourdough Bakery, share with the Farr family an appreciation of honest, homegrown food and wine. The vineyard was planted in 2001 to a mixture of clones on their own roots. It’s predominantly Pinot Noir, with six acres, with a further two acres planted to Chardonnay.  When Nick learned from John in 2011 that the vineyard had been left untended for a couple of years, he jumped at the chance to work with it. 2012 was his first vintage handling the fruit, and the Farrs now have a long-term lease in place, giving Nick the freedom to explore a completely new challenge.

'Medium to light red to brick-red colour with a tinge of purple. A strongly stalk-influenced Campari-like bouquet, the palate fresh and brisk with lively acidity and gentle texture, lightness of being and charm. The acidity is rather high, but refreshes the finish. A charming wine of real complexity. There’s a lot of nuance here – albeit very bunchy, but not overdone.' 94 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review

‘This has vibrant red cherry and cranberry notes with hints of candied raspberry. Even though there is no whole bunch used here in the making, it has a delicious herbal layer as well as hints of warm, damp earth on the nose. The palate is juicy and has a refreshing zing to it with a orange peel flavour, hints of milk chocolate with just a touch of creamy oak. Very classy tannins. Delicious Pinot not to be missed, one of our favourite go-to wines for summer.’Philglas & Swiggot