2015 Giuseppe Rinaldi Freisa Langhe
Community Tasting Note
forceberry wrote:
Monday, February 28, 2022 - 100% Freisa from the Ravera cru situated between the comunes of Barolo and Novello. Fermented spontaneously, macerated with the skins for 2-3 weeks, aged for 8-9 months in old oak botti casks, bottled with minimal SO2. 13,5% alcohol.
Quite youthful and somewhat translucent black cherry color. Quite solar yet still pretty seductive and characterful nose with brooding aromas of licorice, ripe red cherries, some perfumed wild notes of brett, light fragrant notes of medicinal herbs, a little bit of volatile lift, a hint of brambly raspberry and a touch of fresh blackberry. The wine is surprisingly wild, funky and even quite sauvage on the palate with flavors of bretty leather and horse stable, ripe cherry tones, sunny notes of raspberry marmalade, some phenolic spicy tones, a little bit of ferrous blood, light lifted notes of VA, herby hints of both dried aromatic herbs and more bitter medicinal herbs and a touch of game. The acidity feels medium-to-moderately high in acidity, whereas the ample, ripe tannins slowly pile up on the gums, gradually turning the wine rather grippy. The finish is long, grippy and somewhat funky with ripe yet dry and savory flavors of phenolic spice, some sour cherry bitterness, a little bit of licorice root, light brambly notes of black raspberries, a lifted hint of VA and a bretty touch of barnyard.
Although brett isn't that uncommon in Rinaldi's wines and they often have a somewhat wild, funky edge to them, this vintage of their Freisa seemed surprisingly sauvage and rustic even for a Rinaldi wine. The overall feel is quite impressive, tasty and structured, but the wine is still a bit clumsy, surprisingly bitter and rather rough around the edges. Good stuff, but not at the level of best Rinaldi Freisas. I hope additional aging might grant the wine with some finesse that it is lacking at the moment.
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3 comments have been posted
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Comment posted by sman:
11/29/2023 11:00:00 PM - had only one bottle and we drank it tonight. fruit not really great and grainy / bitter. thin for fruit depth. disappointing. would not wish to try from any vintage from this producer.
Comment posted by forceberry:
11/30/2023 1:29:00 AM - Then you'd miss a lot! After all, I count Rinaldi among some of the best producers in Langhe and when it's good, their Freisa is terrific! For example the 2013 was just lovely.
Comment posted by sman:
11/30/2023 1:51:00 PM - yes, i know! but i don't like to gamble on relatively costly wines when really good less expensive wines abound. the cost was ~$60 here. that's why i stopped buying Ganevat red wines. good wines but when half of the wines are shot that good bottle becomes $120..... i do very much appreciate your notes by the way.