Furmint 2023

Possibly one of Australia’s most left-field white wines – the newly released inaugural vintage FREEMAN Furmint 2023.

VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING

Crafted from almost 100% single vineyard estate grown Furmint grapes (with a smidge of its typical companion grape Harslevelu), this is the inaugural vintage of FREEMAN Furmint a rare white variety that is said to originate in Hungary and date back to the Middle Ages, a king called Bela and the Tartar invasion of the Tokay region.

Here in the Hilltops furmint was first planted at Freeman Vineyards in the mid-seventies, just a row back then. Since we have gradually expanded plantings and trialed a few vintages. But not till Vintage 2023 did we craft a textural dry white aromatic wine to feature in the portfolio – arguably Australia’s only furmint.

Planted on our Altura Vineyard, furmint is a thin-skinned variety, typically picked mid-season after chardonnay. Ripe whole bunches are de-stemmed and lightly pressed within an hour of picking and fermented in stainless steel, amplified with gentle lees stirring and a mix of new and old barrel ageing of selected parcels. This first release flags the arrival of an exciting rare variety here in the cool elevated Hilltops region.

TASTING NOTES

This new addition to the family – FREEMAN Furmint 2023 displays aromas of tropical fruit, lychee, pear and citrus complemented by bright acidity and a deliciously refreshing floral racy and still textural palate. In a word…yum. One for the next wine options night!

• 93 POINTS, Huon Hooke, Real Review

‘Compelling example of this rare variety.’

• 93 POINTS, Campbell Mattinson, Winefront

‘Put Freeman Furmint on your dinner menu…’