“A blend of nebbiolo, shiraz and malbec, that spends 18 months in oak, then matured in bottle before release. Great to see a wine being unleashed to market with some mellowing time. It’s strong in bouquet of raspberry-liquorice, rose petals, mulberry, ashy oak. Lavish flavours tempered with silty tannins. Great feel here.” 13.5%alc Top 100 releases, 93pts,  Mike Bennie, Winefront, Mar/Apr 2017

“Spends 18 months in French oak, estate grown and made in Langhorne Creek. Really  maxing out on that tar and roses thing. Leather, earth, rose petals/rose water, pickled cherries, gum leaf. Nice start. Fine across the palate, layering sheets of red cherry fruit, dried cranberry, pomegranate acidity and dusty tannins. Quite reserved, restrained and enjoyable as is. You know it will take some time to open up and best left up to another decade for best drinking. Really good Aus nebb.” 93+pts, $55, Drink 2017-2030, Mike Bennie, Winefront, 7 Feb 2017

2017’s TOP TRENDS
Trend : White blends
“Trends in wine come and go, and these point to a year ahead of mighty fine drinking….
Look out for an increasing number of multi-varietal whites, often including riesling, pinot gris and gewurztraminer varieties but also many other more esoteric combinations which provide more savoury senses than pure citrus, stone fruit or apple/pear characters. The totality of the wine offers a more gastronomic experience.” 4 stars, $30, Tony Love, Adelaide Advertiser Jan 18, 2017

“Yields were down 66%. What there is of this wine is smashingly good; put it in your mouth and it’s like bugles on Anzac Day, the fruit singing proud and clear, the oak sure of its role, the trail of flavour out through the finish an enduring reminder. It’s stunning in a way that will never go out of fashion.”  96pts, 12.5%alc, Drink by 2021, $45, James Halliday 2 August 2016

“Absolutely varietal. Tight with tannin, splashed with spice, juiced with cranberry and red cherry and complexed with leather, herbs, wood smoke. It’s almost autumnal but mostly fruity, and yet it’s dry by the nth degree.”  94pts, 13.5%alc, Drink by 2030, $55, James Halliday 2 August 2016

“From a vineyard at 560-580m on the steep slopes of Mt Lofty, with two natural amphitheatres; the grapes were hand-picked into 8kg baskets, whole bunch-pressed, the juice gravity fed to used French barriques in the underground winery (eight separate components in eight barrique), wild-fermented and 6 months on lees, 2% mlf. All about texture, not primary fruit, and will appeal to those who know what to expect.”  93pts, 13.0%alc, Drink by 2018, $28, James Halliday 2 August 2016

“What a labour of love: the single 11yo vineyard is planted on the highest, steepest slopes of Mt Lofty (560-580m), hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed in 10 lots of different clones, rootstocks, slopes and vine age, each in a single barrique, wild fermented and kept on lees for 6 months, 18% mlf. The result is a very complex chardonnay with naked power that runs wild onthe palate, needing more focus and elegance.”  93pts, 13.0%alc, Drink by 2020, $28, James Halliday 2 August 2016

“55/24/21% cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and malbec, wild yeast open-fermented, pressed direct to barrel and matured for 21 months in French barriques (5% new). Has the soft, plushy fruit typical of Langhorne Creek, and is very complex, the apparent impact of oak inexplicable (unless a high percentage of 1yo). All of that said, there’s plenty to enjoy.”  94pts, 14.0%alc, Drink by 2030, $55, James Halliday 2 August 2016

93pts Most outstanding new releases, Wine Business Magazine May/June 2016, Mike Bennie

Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Malbec blend with some 18 months in oak for good measure. Savoury, deeply flavoured, iodine and graphite-like mineral licks. Finishes with saline acidity. Smooth, full, generous and so well balanced for size. 14% $55 94pts Mike Bennie, Top New Releases, WBM Jan/Feb ’16

Grown at roughly 570 metres above sea level in the Adelaide Hills. Barrel fermented with a portion (18%) also allowed to go through MLF. It’s a stylish chardonnay. A bit wild but well tamed at the same time. Complexity certainly isn’t in doubt. White peach, lactose and spicy flavours. Velvety texture. Quite lovely. Drink 2916-2020. $28 93pts Campbell Mattinson, Jan ’16

Pale ruby. Pretty Nebbiolo fruit. Fresh and finely perfumed. 16+pts Walter Speller, Italian correspondent for Jancis Robinson.

Very pale ruby. Impressive, perfumed, sweet Nebbiolo fruit on the nose and soft strawberry fruit on the palate, bitter-sweet tannins. Displays just enough acidity to keep the tension, but overall well executed. 16pts Walter Speller, Italian correspondent for Jancis Robinson.

Adelaide Hills PG of unusual interest. Apple, almond, earthy and smoky aromas introduce a fleshy wine of impressive depth, with good balance of ripe and savoury flavours. 90/100, Value: good Ralph kyte-Powell, The Melbourne Age/Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 1 Dec 2015.

The 2012 Casa Freschi Nebbiolo and 2014 Casa Freschi Ragazzi Nebbiolo were chosen by Jane Faulkner, Chair of the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show and leading Australian wine journalist, and Walter Speller, Italian wine correspondent at Jancisrobinson.com, to represent Australian Nebbiolo at the 21st Century Vino tasting at Australia House, London on the 29 September 2015.

The initiative was designed to showcase to a global audience the enormous progress Australian winemakers have made over recent years with Italian varietals, highlighting the diversity and suitability of Australian sites to some of the most exciting grape varieties on the planet.

Salute to old vines made new again

The huge range of Italian grape varieties growing here offers a widening spectrum of flavours beyond the most famous sangiovese. Now we can experience the tastes of old-world regions via a glass of Australian-grown red.

This variety from the northwest region of Piedmonte is favoured by aficionados and while its typical colour may suggest a lighter red there’s a much more complex story to be told in the glass. Here it has captivating cherry and woody herbs, a light broth of veal, and trademark tannin grip giving strength and backbone to a delightfully easy flowing wine, designed to be drunk early. Other nebs can take years to integrate. 4 stars, Value: smart Tony Love, Adelaide Advertiser 24 June 2015

This chardonnay surprises with its all-court press of vanillin, toasty oak, but finds it subdued by grapefruit-pithy acidity and the ripe lick of apple sweetness that accompanies. It’s firm in texture, but fruity enough to charm too. Balanced so well.  93pts Mike Bennie, Wine Business Magazine Apr ’15

Solid range of wines this Ragazzi suite. Juiciness of fruit, pear and floral things going on, but maintains a grassiness and shows slate-like pucker too. Pretty, but with drive and verve. 93pts Mike Bennie, Wine Business Magazine Apr ’15

David Freschi updated his parent’s vineyard with nebbiolo from his ancestral homeland. La Signora is 85% nebbiolo with shiraz and malbec. Nebbiolo’s hallmark rose-petal perfumes predominate, with the region’s rusticity a feature of the deep yet surprisingly adroit palate. Pair with wild-boar ragu. Peter Bourne, Qantas Airways Magazine April 2015

Wild yeast-fermented, macerated for 28 days in open fermenters; unfined and unfiltered. Light body on a sturdy frame. Delicate flavours of mint, dark cherry, soy, twigs and tar. Floral overtones. Beautifully integrated in all respects. 94pts Drink to 2024, $55, James Halliday Wine Companion

The 2013 was excellent. So too this 2014. Casa Freschi is onto something with this Adelaide Hills chardonnay.

It gets the mix of flavour and style right. It has enough stone-fruity oomph and enough bacony oak, but it’s crisp and chalky too, with juicy green apples bubbling through the finish – along with oatmeal and general spice. Well honed. Well flavoured. Well good. 94pts Drink 2015- 2019, $27, Campbell Mattinson, Winefront 11 Feb ’15

Wild yeast fermented in barrel, 14 months sur lie, bottled unfined. Thoroughly interesting wine. The flavours: of hazelnuts, cracked wheat, nectarine and citrus. The texture: satiny. The length: it sings with juicy, slinky flavour. 94pts Drink By 2019, $45, James Halliday Wine Companion 8 Jan 2015

Nebbiolo is Piedmont’s hero variety, echoing pinot noir in growing challenges and diversity of style. Serious nebbiolo is aristocratic, its highpoint age-worthy Barolo and Barbaresco. More everyday versions (nebbiolo d’Alba or nebbiolo Langhe) are summer favourites, their sour-cherry flavours, bright acidity and gently persuasive tannins a favourite with grilled lamb cutlets. Australian “nebbs” run the same gamut of styles: David Freschi’s Ragazzi (featured) is so delicious he should consider bottling magnums.

Casa Freschi Ragazzi Nebbiolo 2013 $27

David Freschi is seriously into nebbiolo with La Signora ($50) and a new offering 2012 Nebbiolo ($55). His Ragazzi takes a fresh path, upfront and pure with signature aromatics of rose petal, sour cherries and liquorice. The palate is brilliantly buoyant, a light chill enhancing its energy. Peter Bourne, Qantas Magazine, January 2015

This chardonnay has nutty, nougat-like, slightly smoky aromas that are complex and appealing. It’s soft and rich, deep and satisfying, with real individuality that’s a little out of the mainstream. 13% alc 93 pts $27 Huon Hooke, Sydney Morning Herald & Melbourne Age 20 Jan 2015.

Spends 18 months in oak, working well with the variety’s inherent tannin profile, and delivering a mouthfeel that offers an almost ‘reserve’ strictness of powerful fruit and those tannins. Its perfume is more floral, with briary berries and aniseed scents in tow. 92 pts $45 Mike Bennie Wine Business Magazine Top 100 releases Dec/Jan 15.

Wild yeast fermented in barrel, 25% new oak. This is the wine formerly known as Altezza.

Sweet core of flavour but wild with savoury complexity from there. Nectarine, pine nuts, hazelnuts and cracked wheat. Juicy and long through the finish. Gorgeous wine. 94pts Campbell Mattinson, Winefront

This is now the flagship of the Casa Freschi range. It’s made from the best 15% of nebbiolo grown on the estate. Wild yeast fermented, macerated for 28 days, matured in seasoned French oak, bottled unfined and iunfiltered.

It’s an elegant wine of quiet insistence. It’s light in colour, carries flavour of aniseed, red cherry, dust and dried herbs, and saves its best for the finish, as nebbiolo is so adept at doing. There’s a tarry, nutty character here too, and tips of mint. Tannin lingers beautifully. You kind of need to slow down and listen closely to appreciate this wine, but it has good things to say. 93pts Campbell Mattinson, Winefront

One of three nebs on show at the moment from the ever-interesting artisan winemaker David Freschi: this is designed to drink earlier, crafted to be more open as a youthful wine showing woody herbs, savoury textures, yet it still has some juicy flavour going on as well. Varietal fans will still be pleased that there’s enough trademark tannin to carry its more serious nebbiolo duties with elan. Tony Love, Adelaide Advertiser

Casa Freschi Chardonnay 2013

When David Freschi planted vines just below Mt Lofty Summit he chose arguably the steepest (580m), coolest site in the Adelaide Hills. The slopes are so steep, hand pruning and hand harvesting are required. But the northern aspect provides enough sun for slow and steady ripening of the dry grown grapes. While yield is low, quality of the fruit is consistently high. It is an ideal vineyard in which to grow top class chardonnay.

The Casa Freschi Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2013 is delicate but with robust texture and delicious stone fruit flavors enhanced by maturation in French oak for 14 months.

It is a scrumptious drink now but David says it will continue to improve up to 2025.

Casa Freschi La Signorina 2013

David Freschi grows grapes in a single vineyard at 580m near Mt Lofty. At this height and with very steep slopes, the vines are hand-pruned and handharvested. La Signorina is an unusual blend of riesling and gewürztraminer (each 42%), plus 15% chardonnay and 1% pinot gris. From the dominant varieties the bouquet is heady and highly perfumed while intense flavours of lime cordial with spice and savory notes are enhanced by French oak nuances.

Casa Freschi Nebbiolo 2012

The Casa Freschi Langhorne Creek Nebbiolo 2012 is from owner-winemaker David Freschi’s 2ha single vineyard on the plains cooled by breezes from nearby Lake Alexandrina. Hand pruned and hand harvested the grapes are foot crushed, wild yeast fermented and hand plunged in small open fermenters for four weeks before maturation in seasoned French oak puncheons for 18 months. Dense red with complex aromas and savoury flavours this flagship wine will further develop with medium to long term cellaring.

Casa Freschi Ragazzi Chardonnay 2013

2013 was both a high quality and high quantity vintage. Farmer’s delight. Double the quantity of the 2012 vintage, according to winemaker David Freschi.

A wine of elegant power. It was 100% barrel fermented but you’d not pick it. Freshness of fruit is the order of the day, though it’s also textural and well-shaped as it runs along your tongue. Nectarine, pear, citrus and nuttier notes. Pure, glistening fruit through the finish. Very good. 92/100 Drink 2014-2018

Casa Freschi Ragazzi Nebbiolo 2013

Grown on a close-planted nebbiolo vineyard 4km north of Lake Alexandrina. Matured in French oak, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Nebbiolo with a bit of impact. Silken and tidy at the same time. Deep, dark cherry, leather, dried spice and floral notes. Surely, varietal. Redder berry notes rise as the wine breathes. Tannin is present but not at all dangerous; overall the wine rolls softly along the tongue, though a firmness lurks in the background. Rusty aftertaste, in a positive sense. Interesting wine. And a good one. 91+/100 Drink 2013-2022

Casa Freschi Ragazzi Pinot Grigio 2013

Wild yeast, barrel ferment, and a tiny amount of mlf.

It’s a beautiful white wine. More pinot gris than grigio but alive with spice, powdered milk, smoke and citrus flavour. Joyous. Lengthy. Textural. Drinking beautifully now. 94/100 Drink 2013-2015

Casa Freschi Nebbiolo 2012

This seems to be a step up from the Ragazzi ranged nebbiolo in the Casa Freschi wine tiers, and also sourced from their red wine vineyard in Langhorne Creek. A new release wine from 2012.

Red cherry, bright red perfume, touch of musk, gentle sweetness. Pretty entry. Juicy and tightly wound flavours, light-on in a way, decent length of flavour but finishes with increasingly sour acidity. It’s a quiet, reserved wine with some delicacy of fruit and steely firm tannins. Feels like a wine that will improve with age; there’s a subtle seriousness in the finer feel of this wine. 91/100 Drink 2014-2025