Coravin Session #2 - New Pinots and a tannin tester

Finally getting around to trying the bottles of by Farr I picked up at the end of last year. I also participated in some blind tasting the weekend before and left thinking my palate was broken, specifically that I had lost the ability to detect tannin. So, I thought I would include something at the end of this flight...

• 2016 By Farr Pinot Noir RP Côte Vineyard

  Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Geelong

  [From Coravin]
  
  The appearance is clear and pale ruby in colour.
  
  The nose is clean. The aromas have a pronounced intensity and show notes of red fruit (red cherry, raspberry), whole-berry fermentation (boiled candy, glacé cherry), black fruit (black cherry), and oak (wood, cinnamon, cloves). Swirling reveals additional notes of stem/whole-bunch characters (subtle ash), vegetal (mushroom), mineral (wet crushed rocks), and a gamey character. The wine is developing.
  
  On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acidity, medium alcohol, and medium(-) body. The medium(-) level tannins are soft and round in nature. The flavours have a medium(+) intensity and show notes of red fruit (red cherry, raspberry), whole-berry fermentation (glacé cherry), black fruit (black cherry flesh). The finish has a long length, and shows additional notes of gamey characters and charcuterie, oak (cloves, cinnamon), floral (rose hip), and stem/whole-bunch characters (subtle ash).
  
  This wine is of an outstanding quality. The flavours have a great balance with the acidity and alcohol. The soft tannins provide some structure to the wine, but the acidity leads this wine to be on the lighter side of medium body. The flavours show great concentration, as indicated by the length of the finish. In its current state, the wine is complex showing primary, secondary, and some tertiary characteristics (a wine of higher quality would show more complexity). The primary fruit core shows well and is supported by some savoury characters. The secondary components (oak, whole-berry, and use of stems) are all very well integrated; not awkwardly poking out. With the length of the finish, the flavours are able to evolve in a very interesting and enjoyable manner.
  
  The wine drinks well now, but is suitable for further ageing. The fruit shows great concentration, and the acid structure should support the wine as tertiary notes develop.

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• 2016 By Farr Pinot Noir Tout Près

  Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Geelong

  [From Coravin]
  
  The appearance is clear and pale ruby in colour.
  
  The nose is clean. The aromas have a medium intensity and show notes of black fruit (black cherry), red fruit (subtle red cherry), whole-berry fermentation (subtle glacé cherry), generic vegetal characters with a meaty undertone (oven-roasted game). Swirling reveals additional notes of stems/whole-bunch characters (ash, dried leaves), oak (cloves, subtle cinnamon), vegetal (mushroom), and mineral characters (wet earth, decomposing leaves). The wine is developing.
  
  On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+) acidity, medium alcohol, and medium body. The medium level tannins are ripe and cotton-like in nature. The flavours have a medium intensity and show notes of black fruit (black cherry), stems/whole-bunch characters (ash, dried leaves), whole-berry fermentation (glacé cherry), vegetal (mushroom), oak (subtle cloves, very subtle cinnamon), mineral (wet earth), and a meaty character. The finish has a medium(+) length.
  
  This is a very good quality wine. The flavours have a great balance with the acidity and a good balance with the alcohol. Some warmth from the alcohol shows on the palate. The tannins provide some structure to the wine, but the acidity leads this wine to be on the lighter side of medium body. The flavours show good concentration (a wine of higher quality would show more concentration and a longer length). In its current state, the wine is complex showing primary, secondary, and some tertiary characteristics (a wine of higher quality would show more complexity). The primary fruit core is enjoyable and is well supported by more savoury notes. The secondary components (oak), and the use of whole-berry fermentation and stems are very well integrated; not awkwardly poking out. The finish has a great length that allows the flavours to linger in a very interesting and enjoyable manner.
  
  The wine drinks well now, but is suitable for further ageing. The fruit shows great concentration, and the acid and tannin structure should support the wine as tertiary notes develop.

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• 2016 Brokenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot McClaren Vale

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  [From Coravin, screwcap]
  
  The appearance is clear and medium ruby in colour. Tears are visible.
  
  The nose is clean. The aromas have a medium(+) intensity and show notes of black fruit (ripe black plum, ripe blackcurrant), herbaceous characters (celery, dried leaves), oak (cedar, subtle cloves, subtle cinnamon, subtle charred smokey wood), mineral (graphite, dry earth), pungent spice (liquorice), and red fruit (raspberry, subtle red plum). Over time, a floral note (violets) develops in the glass. The wine appears youthful.
  
  On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+) acidity, high alcohol, and full body. The medium(+) tannins are ripe and have a corduroy-like nature. The flavours have a medium intensity and show notes of black fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry flesh, blackberry, bramble), oak (cloves, ground cinnamon), pungent spice (liquorice), herbaceous characters (celery, dried leaves), and some subtle raisination. The finish has a medium(+) length, showing additional notes of red fruit (red plum) and mineral (dry dusty earth).
  
  This is a good quality wine. The flavours have a good intensity and have a great balance with the acidity. Heat from the alcohol shows on the palate (a wine of higher quality would better mask the alcohol heat). The tannins have a good balance with the acidity. The flavours show good concentration (a wine of higher quality would show more concentration and a longer length). In its current state, the wine shows some complexity with multiple clusters of primary and secondary characters. The primary fruit shows well and is more black fruit than red fruit. Some subtle raisination showed. The oak treatment is enjoyable and complements the primary fruit. The finish has a good length.
  
  The wine drinks well now, but is not suitable for further ageing. The balance with the alcohol will not improve with further ageing.

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Wine of the day was the 2016 by Farr RP. Going into the flight I was thinking the tout pres would be the winner, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was also happy to notice that my palate is OK, I can still detect tannins!