Byrne Farm Pinot Noir 2022
I visited Byrne Farm in Orange in July 2023 and had the pleasure of meeting and tasting with Canadian-born winemaker Jeff Byrne. Jeff visited Australia in 1995 and ended up marrying his Australian wife Bridgette in 2000, after which he moved to the Hunter and worked for none other than Len Evans at the newly built Tower Estate. A degree in Wine Science at Charles Sturt at Wagga followed, as did stints in Burgundy at Domaine D’Eugenie, which sharpened his passion for pinot noir and chardonnay. In 2008 Jeff joined the Agnew Wines family where he became the Chief Winemaker overseeing the production of Audrey Wilkinson, Poole’s Rock and Cockfighert’s Ghost wines for 11 years.
In 2019 Jeff and Bridgette made the move to Orange, purchasing “Glenidle“ which sits at 900m and had operated as an apple and cherry orchard from the early 1900’s. The couple planted vines in 2020 and in the meantime source fruit from top local growers.
This wine is certified organic, with the pinot noir sourced from the Springvale block, southwest of Orange just outside the town of Cargo. This is believed to have been the first certified organic vineyard in NSW and, as per the chardonnay, the vines are some of the oldest in the region at roughly 30 years. The vineyard is at an altitude of 820m. The fruit was hand-picked, 100% destemmed and sent to three-tonne open fermenters where it cold-soaked for four days, followed by a 10-day ferment on skins. The wine was then lightly pressed and sent to 500-litre oak barrels where it matured for 10 months (30% new) before being blended.
"This wine shows bright dark cherry, raspberry fruits with subtle spice and perfume. Our Pinot Noir is fresh and crunchy with a delicate palette and a powerful fruit finish."
Winemaker's notes.
"This year’s cooler conditions have resulted in a Pinot of impressive purity, minerality and drive, redolent with beautiful red fruit power and intensity, lovely smoked meat and earth savouriness and just a touch of reduction. There was no whole bunch this year, but plenty of whole berry to chase down that pretty and airy style, and Jeff delayed sulphuring to prolong malo, to add texture to the mid-palate. The palate is densely packed, with purity and finely drawn, fleshy structure interlaced with high-grown freshness and a savoury tinged, lengthy close. Proper."
Bibendum Wine Co.
| SKU | 1BYRFARPN22 |
| Brand | Byrne Farm |
| Shipping Weight | 1.5000kg |
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