Wine by Farr - GC Chardonnay 2024

A family run estate, Gary Farr purchased the property in 1994 and has developed a distinct style of wine in Geelong, the southwestern wine region of Victoria. Today, Nick Farr, the next generation, has taken the reins and with it the calibre of wines continue to soar as he produces premium fruit with a flavour, bouquet and colour that is unique to the Geelong region.

The GC Chardonnay (GC – Gary Charles) is attributed to all the knowledge we have been able to extract from Gary to create a close planted / high density planting of chardonnay on an exposed côte. These hillsides facing North, North East and East will be the backbone of the Farr dynasty for decades to come

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.