Who makes it?

Casa Freschi is the label of winemaker David Freschi started in the 1998. David turns the grapes from his family’s original vineyard planted in Australia’s Langhorne Creek. This vineyard was planted in the 1970s although David planted Nebbiolo in the vineyard in 1999. 

Nebbiolo is not that unusual to find in Australia. In fact, there is a growing number of Nebbi vineyards, the first ones tended to be planted by the families of Italian immigrants. David’s parents migrated to Australia from the Veneto region. His father was very much at home making wine and it was natural to continue this in his newly adopted country. It laid a solid and high quality foundation for Casa Freschi to grow from.

Casa Freschi also source some of their wines from the cool climate of Adelaide Hills, just to the east of Adelaide.

How do they make it?

The vineyard this Nebbiolo comes from has poor soils to ensure that the yields from these vines are low. This yield is further reduced by low rainfall and cooling winds during the ripening period. These conditions suit growing Nebbiolo.

The wine is fermented using wild yeasts and the matured for 10 months in old French oak barrels. The wines are unfined and unfiltered.

What does it taste like?

As to be expected, there is some varietal rose petal aromas at first whiff. Then the cherry, herbs and liquorice notes waft in.  That floral influence translates into a sweetness to the fruit on the palate. It is a medium bodied red that shapes the mouth rather more softly than you might expect for a Nebbiolo. These softer tannins are a stylistic choice that David Freschi has made for this particular wine.

Moreover, it has a fresh flush of soft natural acid and it lingers long enough to satisfy. Incredibly, this wine will also improve with cellaring too. 

In short, this is what Langhorne Creek is all about. Red wines that are really good drinking that represent excellent value.

What to drink it with?

Why not go with sausages, venison or just some spiced English port sausages served with a truffled mash. Truffles go especially well with Nebbiolo in the grape’s home in Piedmonte. A pizza is also a great option too, as well a juicy steak with peppercorn sauce.

Cheese

Mature hard cheese such as cheddar or mature comte.

Quickie review « A well made, shapely Aussie Nebbiolo with rose petal prettiness amongst the cherry fruit. »

Country of Origin: Langhorne Creek, Australia
Tasting Date: 
Price: AU$30 | UK £ 
Drink: now – 10+ years
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like this wine, why not check out other Nebbiolo wines.
Henschke reds for now or later!
Bruno Rocca Barbaresco Currà DOCG

Visit casafreschi.com.au for more.