Tout Près Pinot Noir by Farr 2021

98 Points - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)
"Awesome power and concentration; seriously impressive. This will reward cellaring although it already drinks superbly."

Nick Farr - Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year in 2020

Tout Près is the most densely planted vineyard on the estate at 7,300 vines per hectare (hence the name, meaning very cosy), making a wine of tremendous intensity and concentration. This cuvée consistently produces wines of weight and wonderful ageing potential, showing notes of long, slow whole bunch fermentation, creating richness and layered fruit expression alongside Chinese five spice, ripe fruits and terrific tannins. The wines of Tout Près are focused and beautifully structured, ready for celebration now or a rewarding stint in the cellar.

Only a touch over 2.5 acres, it has three individual soil types across a three-sided cirque (an amphitheatre-like valley head) that rises above the other vineyards. Each slope consists of a distinct soil type; the largest is black volcanic soil over limestone; the second is quartz gravel mixed with red ironstone soil and the third an iron strand in grey sandy loam. These soils and intense competition force the vines to work hard, resulting in fruit that is lush but masculine and provides the coveted structure found only in the most ageworthy wines.