100% Freisa from the Barolo cru Bricco Boschis. Fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, macerated with the skins for approximately 5 days using the submerged cap technique. Aged for 12-15 months in old, 2000 to 3000-liter Slavonian oak bottis. 14% alcohol.
Slightly evolved blackish-red color with a maroon dried-blood hue. Somewhat evolved and attractively nuanced nose with aromas of wizened black cherries, some raisiny tones, a little bit of licorice root, a sweet, liqueur-ish hint of VA and a ferrous touch of blood. The wine is ripe, moderately full-bodied and subtly sweet-toned on the palate with layered flavors of wizened red cherries, some raisiny tones, a little bit of volatile lift, light sanguine notes of iron, an umami hint reminiscent of sun-dried tomato and a touch of sour cherry bitterness. The wine is high in acidity with quite ample and moderately grippy tannins. The finish is long, savory and quite grippy with a dry aftertaste of sour cherries, some raisiny tones, a little bit of lifted VA, light evolved notes of prunes, a hint of tart cranberry and a meaty touch of umami.
A nice, somewhat rustic and moderately evolved Freisa. The overall feel is pretty balanced and enjoyably structured, but the wine still came across as a bit clumsy and also surprisingly evolved for its age - I've had older Freisas that have tasted younger than this. It feels as though the tannins could use some more aging to resolve, as the still feel quite young and angular, but the fruit department is already moving to the dried fruit territory, which isn't promising that much potential for further aging. As a whole, this was good and thoroughly enjoyable, but not as great as the best wines were in our Freisa-themed tasting.
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Aromas of cherries and line-dried laundry on a warm spring day. Try to imagine that first really warm day of spring where it’s still technically winter, but flowers seem to bloom from out of nowhere, and there is that heady perfume of pollen, earth, better days to come, and the feeling that everything is possible. It smells like that feels.
This wine is awesome... lovely floral meets volcanoes on the nose that just scream Italy for me. I love the volcanic ash/charcoal spice here. These notes enter on the palate too, and very quickly within a few seconds tannins and acid begin to dominate. There is also some lovely cherry fruit mixed in here. The finish is still showing a ton of tannin, despite the relatively lighter size of this wine. This is pretty much a homerun of a QPR, and it has only improved since my note two years ago. This may become one of my case purchases to have around to show what you can do for under $20. A really wonderful wine full of life and character that would surprise most people.
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Cherry for days, with a massive tannic attack that will let this age for quite some time yet. While its friesa its really more a cavallatto, meaning somewhat on the extracted side.
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The nose was dark, almost sappy, with crushed raspberry, herbs, and sweet spice. On the palate, I found silky textures contrasted by tart cranberry and blackberry fruits. Brisk acidity contrasted by bitter dark fruits lingered on the finish.
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This is reminiscent of a Gamay or Pinot Noir. Camphor and ether on the nose. On the palate, cranberry, cherry, and black tea, with strong acidity but only moderate tannins on the medium finish. I was expecting something fairly powerful, but this is elegant instead. A good value at about $25.
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Tasting at Cavallotto (Castiglione Falletto, Piedmont, Italy): Dark purple in the glass. Big nose is rather un-delineated today. Broad aromatic strokes of plum, herbal and smoked herbs. Powerful and tannic on the palate. Good fruit concentration to offset the tannin. Moderate acids on the back end.
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Bottle has been open for one hour. Aromas are of dusty charcoal, blackberry and cranberry seeds. Overall, a very harmonious and pure scent, showing elegance, restraint and grace. Palate texture is on the lighter side, showing similar charcoal dust, soft penetrating red fruit, and as its held, some integrated but penetrating fine grained tannins. Nice dial up of acidity on the finish with more tannins dialing in, however, still quite a bit less than your usual Freisa. This is definitely on the far more elegant side of the varietal. Enjoyable and fantastic with food.
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2/28/2022 - forceberry wrote: 89 Points
100% Freisa from the Barolo cru Bricco Boschis. Fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, macerated with the skins for approximately 5 days using the submerged cap technique. Aged for 12-15 months in old, 2000 to 3000-liter Slavonian oak bottis. 14% alcohol.
Slightly evolved blackish-red color with a maroon dried-blood hue. Somewhat evolved and attractively nuanced nose with aromas of wizened black cherries, some raisiny tones, a little bit of licorice root, a sweet, liqueur-ish hint of VA and a ferrous touch of blood. The wine is ripe, moderately full-bodied and subtly sweet-toned on the palate with layered flavors of wizened red cherries, some raisiny tones, a little bit of volatile lift, light sanguine notes of iron, an umami hint reminiscent of sun-dried tomato and a touch of sour cherry bitterness. The wine is high in acidity with quite ample and moderately grippy tannins. The finish is long, savory and quite grippy with a dry aftertaste of sour cherries, some raisiny tones, a little bit of lifted VA, light evolved notes of prunes, a hint of tart cranberry and a meaty touch of umami.
A nice, somewhat rustic and moderately evolved Freisa. The overall feel is pretty balanced and enjoyably structured, but the wine still came across as a bit clumsy and also surprisingly evolved for its age - I've had older Freisas that have tasted younger than this. It feels as though the tannins could use some more aging to resolve, as the still feel quite young and angular, but the fruit department is already moving to the dried fruit territory, which isn't promising that much potential for further aging. As a whole, this was good and thoroughly enjoyable, but not as great as the best wines were in our Freisa-themed tasting.
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3/29/2018 - WeatherBroker wrote: 85 Points
Okay.
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11/29/2017 - MrOctoberfest Likes this wine: 92 Points
Aromas of cherries and line-dried laundry on a warm spring day. Try to imagine that first really warm day of spring where it’s still technically winter, but flowers seem to bloom from out of nowhere, and there is that heady perfume of pollen, earth, better days to come, and the feeling that everything is possible. It smells like that feels.
Tasted pretty good too.
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10/26/2017 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 91 Points
This wine is awesome... lovely floral meets volcanoes on the nose that just scream Italy for me. I love the volcanic ash/charcoal spice here. These notes enter on the palate too, and very quickly within a few seconds tannins and acid begin to dominate. There is also some lovely cherry fruit mixed in here. The finish is still showing a ton of tannin, despite the relatively lighter size of this wine. This is pretty much a homerun of a QPR, and it has only improved since my note two years ago. This may become one of my case purchases to have around to show what you can do for under $20. A really wonderful wine full of life and character that would surprise most people.
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5/13/2017 - gbanks wrote:
Cherry for days, with a massive tannic attack that will let this age for quite some time yet. While its friesa its really more a cavallatto, meaning somewhat on the extracted side.
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4/24/2017 - oropeza wrote: 87 Points
Slight fruit in front, but this one is all earth, funk, acidity and decent length.
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8/3/2016 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 90 Points
The nose was dark, almost sappy, with crushed raspberry, herbs, and sweet spice. On the palate, I found silky textures contrasted by tart cranberry and blackberry fruits. Brisk acidity contrasted by bitter dark fruits lingered on the finish.
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1/4/2016 - RichardP wrote: 90 Points
This is reminiscent of a Gamay or Pinot Noir. Camphor and ether on the nose. On the palate, cranberry, cherry, and black tea, with strong acidity but only moderate tannins on the medium finish. I was expecting something fairly powerful, but this is elegant instead. A good value at about $25.
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10/19/2015 - Nanda wrote: 89 Points
Tasting at Cavallotto (Castiglione Falletto, Piedmont, Italy): Dark purple in the glass. Big nose is rather un-delineated today. Broad aromatic strokes of plum, herbal and smoked herbs. Powerful and tannic on the palate. Good fruit concentration to offset the tannin. Moderate acids on the back end.
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7/10/2015 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 90 Points
Bottle has been open for one hour. Aromas are of dusty charcoal, blackberry and cranberry seeds. Overall, a very harmonious and pure scent, showing elegance, restraint and grace. Palate texture is on the lighter side, showing similar charcoal dust, soft penetrating red fruit, and as its held, some integrated but penetrating fine grained tannins. Nice dial up of acidity on the finish with more tannins dialing in, however, still quite a bit less than your usual Freisa. This is definitely on the far more elegant side of the varietal. Enjoyable and fantastic with food.
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4/23/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Spicy and rich and bitter, and savory, right up my alley. Not typical year notes Cavallotto.
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