Notes by Ben Knight: 

"I regularly question my relevance in writing these notes, as such frequent exposure numbs the thrill. I expect a level of quality that is outrageously high and over time, you get used to them. I try to sit back and remember what it feels like to try these for the first time. It seems like an odd position, but in the world of Pinot Noir, there is an abundance of light red wines with some pretty smells, some even have nice texture. This is not that type of wine, it is far, far better. I’ve had so many of these amazing wines, my compass only has true north. The needle oscillates a little, but no more than a meander down an equally beautiful path. As I clumsily type this metaphor, I want it to mean that I’ve never had to search for my bearings, the wine is always in the right place.

The new Farrside is no exception, as it delivers notes of earth, petals, dark ripe fruit and black tea. It smells of spices, dried herbs and lifted notes that remind me of the stems that give this wine such power and life. There is a generosity in evolution to this wine, it is not merely tight and firm, it has softened, it has unfurled, and makes you go back to the glass, time and time again."

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. These grapes are picked 10 to 12 days after all others and produce a more masculine and edgy wine.