As is traditional at this time of year, we thought that we would let our customers and suppliers know how Farr Vintners has performed during the last 12 months. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your tremendous support and loyalty. We are delighted to report that 2012 was a record-breaking year for us with sales of £166.2 million, 27% up on 2011 (which was our previous best ever year).
On Monday 10th December Farr Vintners hosted a tasting at our London office with proprietors from 12 St Emilion 1ers Grands Crus Classés and leading journalists in the UK to taste the 2009 and 2005 vintages in order to see how the wines were developing, how the vintages fare against each other and, crucially, to assess the quality and diversity of wine being produced in the region. St Emilion and the right bank in general has often had to stand in the shadow of its left bank brothers, but the wines are now claiming recognition the world over, with many of the wines tasted attaining the perfect Parker score that so many winemakers covet.
For many years I have been part of a tasting group whose members have changed over time but the basis of which has always been that we have gathered and each person has brought along a bottle, or two, which is then served blind to the rest of the group. The idea is of course to delight but if possible also to confuse. I can honestly say that UFBs have been responsible for allowing me to taste and share some of the greatest wines ever but they have also embarrassed me no end by my inability to taste blind and left me with some world class hangovers.
