Meanwhile Back on the Farm
Taking stock of the Farm's new releases
Over the past six years, the annual wine release by the Neudorf family has become a major event. Invitations to taste and enjoy an open house at The Farm in August were snapped up in minutes, but there’s an opportunity to order online starting today. Visit thefarmwines.ca for details.
The Farm Chardonnay 2020
Niagara Peninsula
SCORE: 90 PRICE: $25
Fruit from friends. Wild fermentation, full malolactic, aged in 25% new French oak barrels, puncheons, and stainless. Unfined and unfiltered.
Expressive and enjoyable style of chardonnay, serious wine for this price. Bright and balanced, with a backbone of lemony and minerality that carries the mix of pear, peach and nutty flavours to a refreshing, lingering finish. Drink now-2025.
The Farm Pinot Noir 2020
Niagara Peninsula
SCORE: 90 PRICE: $27
Fruit from friends. Unfined and unfiltered.
Ripe and fragrant style shows the vintage. 12% alcohol declared on the label shows a judicious approach to maintain balance and freshness. (Love to see it!) Restrained but appealing berry and cherry aromas and flavours with spice and earthy accents. Sinewy, dry style that will develop nicely. A sure-fire bet at this price. Drink now-2030.
The Farm Pinot Noir Neudorf Vineyard 2019
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
SCORE: 91 PRICE: $55
Pinot vines planed in 2000, farmed organically. Handpicked, hand sorted. Wild fermentation (both primary and secondary). Fermented and aged in French oak barrels ranging from 2nd fill to completely neutral.
Admirably elegant and refreshing style of pinot, with supple texture and winning complexity. Light in body, but with dimension and density. The mix of berry, savoury and floral notes ring true to the Neudorf (La Petite) terrior. Vibrant finish. A classic Niagara pinot that will start to show its full personality in two years and continue to mature gracefully. Drink 2024-2032.
The Farm Pinot Noir Mason Vineyard 2019
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
SCORE: 93 PRICE: $50
Handpicked and hand sorted and undergo a wild fermentation (both primary and secondary) with a cold soak and a long maceration on skins post fermentation.
Deeper colour and more polished texture than the Neudorf pinot, this offers a riper core of fruit that gains complexity from earthy and savoury notes. Nice concentration and an appealing savoury finish. A real pleasure to drink. Drink now-2028.
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About the Author
Christopher Waters
Christopher Waters has been writing about wine for two decades. He is the wine and spirits columnist at The Globe and Mail, education director of IWEG Drinks Academy and a WSET certified instructor at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University.
For 21 years, he was the editor/co-founder of Canada's largest circulation wine publication, VINES, and author of the nationally syndicated column, Waters & Wine.
An internationally recognized wine judge, Christopher represents Canada for the Six Nations Wine Challenge and served as head judge and organizer of the InterVin International Wine Awards from 2009-2019. He was awarded the Business Citizen of the Year at the 2011 Niagara Grape and Wine Festival and was received the VQA Promoters Award for Education, also in 2011.
Christopher has been organizing and conducting unforgettable corporate and private fine wine events for 20+ years. He has developed and conducted masterclasses and seminars and moderated panels for organizations, such as The Wine Marketing Association of Ontario, Wines of British Columbia, Wines of Chile, Wines of Germany and Wines of South Africa.