2024 G.C Chardonnay

The feeling of the season leading up to the 2024 vintage, was one of hope. The property was poised for a healthy and vigorous growing season, yet rainfall is required for this to be achieved ! Some winter rains certainly helped but overall the Spring rains didn’t really eventuate as it had during the previous 4 year’s seasons. The resilience of the vineyards was evident though, with average cropping levels seemingly achievable with the assistance of some timely showers and irrigation to maintain the canopy through some warmer weather during February.

The season was certainly mild throughout but the warmer weather was only towards our first picking date of 27th Feb. We tested the waters and decided after two days of picking that the fruit was capable of achieving greater flavour. We resumed picking on the 4th March and never looked back. The Irrewarra vineyard was started on the 19th March followed wonderfully by the Gamay and Shiraz. As we felt another vintage was coming to a close quite swiftly the Nebbiolo once again didn’t play ball. By mid April it was time to finish, so the Nebbiolo was picked and stalling at 12 Beaume. It was destined for Rose for another year.

The whites fermented extremely slowly but perhaps that has been an important factor in the tension that the wines have maintained, considering the warm finish to the season. Classic “Farr” – Calm power.

"I drank this on two occasions. Straight from the box, at “room” temp and straight from the fridge at “way too cold” temperature, or so I thought.. This type of polar experience in terms of temperature usually highlights a wines imperfection. The colder option is usually the most telling, as insipid wine offers nothing but wetness when too cold. The GC, as expected, is anything but insipid and delighted at both ends of the temperature spectrum.

This wine was surprisingly delicious straight from the fridge. Likewise, straight out of the box the wine was also wonderful. It showed me the complexity of the wine and the depth of flavour too. A wine balanced with acidity and richness. There are notes of lemon and vanilla custard, chantilly cream and dry tropical fruits. Despite the two notes of dairy, there is nothing garish about the wine, nothing buttery or overblown. And, whilst it is full of flavour, so much of that generosity is driven by ripe fruit and beautifully handled acidity. The GC chardonnay is a wine that offers Chardonnay expression with flavour, and it does so unapologetically. There is, thankfully, a way for these top end wines to taste of the grape that makes them, without the baggage of winemaker artifice.

I’ve spoken before of the hand of Farr, and the ease with which these wines dance so intricately and beautifully with the appearance of ease. It is this simple elegance that is the skill, and the intricate complexity, that doesn’t appear to be so, that is the joy. As always the GC is a benchmark wine for Chardonnay lovers."

- BEN KNIGHT, CRITIC