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The flagship savoury Italian-inspired red blend from Australia’s only plantings of Rondinella and Corvina grapes.
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING
There is no other way to describe 2018 – it was a boomer! A dry cool spring was bolstered by rain after flowering that delivered balance and good yields. The perfect dry autumn ripened the rondinella and corvina grapes to near perfection, fully ripe and flavour-packed, picked in late-April. A selection of both varieties was dried slowly for up to 10 days, the desiccated grapes added to the remaining harvest for fermentation. The young wines characterised by very intense tannins were aged separately in old oak barrels for two years, prior to blending and bottling. Subsequently, the wine has been cellared at 14C to allow the tannins to integrate and enrich the palate.
TASTING NOTES
In a generous glass this mid-weight FREEMAN Secco 2018 displays garnet red hues and attractive enveloping aromas of spiced berries mingled with earthy cacao aromas and lingering umami notes leading to a mellow balanced palate. This mature wine is inspired by northern Italy’s classic Ripasso-styles, opening as a medium-bodied red then revealing its true form – beguiling flavours draped over a savoury tannin frame. With an elegant captivating charm it will continue to evolve for many years yet.
The flagship savoury Italian-inspired red blend from Australia’s only plantings of Rondinella and Corvina grapes.
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING
The 2017 vintage season is acknowledged as an excellent year in the Hilltops creating intensely coloured and flavoured wines. A dry summer led into the cool, dry autumn providing ideal ripening conditions. Corvina and Rondinella grapes take time to reach maturity even in the Australian climate, an ideal long, slow evolution that is the key to their intensity and seductive richness. The grapes were harvested in late April.
A selection of both varieties was dried slowly for up to 10 days, the desiccated grapes added to the remaining harvest for fermentation. The young wines characterised by very intense tannins were aged separately in old oak barrels for two years, prior to blending and bottling. Subsequently, the wine has been cellared at 14o C to allow the tannins to integrate and enrich the palate.
TASTING NOTES
In a generous glass this mid-weight FREEMAN Secco Rondinella Corvina 2017 displays garnet red hues and attractive enveloping aromas of spiced berries, sage and lingering umami notes that lead to a mellow, persistent and balanced palate. This wine is inspired by northern Italy’s classic ripasso styles opening as a deceptively lighter red that reveals beguiling flavours draped over a savoury tannin frame. With an elegant, captivating charm, the 2017 will continue to evolve for many years to come.
‘Deep and weighty with a profoundly calm yet commanding presence on the palate…builds and unfurls.
A wine not to be rushed but savoured.’
95 POINTS, REAL REVIEW, Stu Knox
The flagship savoury Italian-inspired red blend from Australia’s only plantings of Rondinella and Corvina grapes.
TASTING NOTES
In a generous glass this mid-weight FREEMAN Secco 2016 displays garnet red hues and attractive enveloping aromas of spiced berries mingled with earthy cacao aromas and lingering umami notes leading to a mellow balanced palate. This mature deceptive wine is modelled on northern Italy’s classic Ripasso-styles, opening as a lighter red then revealing its true form – beguiling flavours draped over a savoury tannin frame. With an elegant captivating charm it will continue to evolve for many years yet.
WINEMAKING
The 2016 vintage was our earliest harvest ever, starting in late January, a result of a low rainfall year and consistently warm conditions leading to a hot, persistently dry summer. In other words, it was a season that conjured full ripeness and powerful balanced flavours. These later ripening Corvina and Rondinella varieties were picked in April.
A selection of both varieties was dried slowly for up to 10 days, the desiccated grapes added to the remaining harvest for fermentation. The young wines characterised by very intense tannins were aged separately in old oak barrels for two years, prior to blending and bottling. Subsequently, the wine has been cellared at 14oC to allow the tannins to integrate and enrich the palate.