By Farr Chardonnay GC 2022

By Farr 'GC' Côte Vineyard Chardonnay is the absolute pinnacle of white winemaking from the Farr family, crafted as a high-density, close-planted "Grand Cru" tribute to patriarch Gary Charles ("GC") Farr. Sourced from exposed hillsides in Geelong's cool Moorabool Valley, the vines span three distinct slopes—North, East, and North-East—featuring complex soils ranging from red-brown loam with buckshot stone to black volcanic earth shot through with limestone bedrock. Winemaker Nick Farr utilizes a decidedly Burgundian blueprint to coax greatness from this unique landscape: the hand-picked fruit is whole-bunch pressed, and all the solids are collected and chilled before undergoing a wild fermentation in 50% new French oak barrels. Maturing for 11 months with minimal battonage (lees stirring), this highly allocated, structural masterpiece completely mirrors the prestigious, chalky white burgundies of Meursault

In the glass, it shows a radiant green-gold hue, opening with a remarkably sophisticated and tightly coiled bouquet of lemon curd, fresh nectarine, and roasted hazelnut, intricately layered with complex notes of struck-match flint and warm, subtle barrel spice. On the palate, the wine delivers an authoritative masterclass in what the estate calls "calm power." It is exceptionally deep, concentrated, and silken, wrapping a creamy, savory wave of white peach and Chantilly cream around a deeply chiseled, vibrating spine of mineral acidity. Completely stripped of heavy winemaking artifice, its immense power and richness are effortlessly masked by a crystalline, chalky texturing that makes the palate water without feeling sharp.