Exciting start to 2018. Robert Parker Wine Advocate has just published review of #FREEMAN visit by Joe Czerwinski.
And we thank him for making the #NSWHilltops detour….

In short, these are some of the most compelling Italianate wines I’ve ever tasted from the New World.’

One of the most interesting places I’ve visited in some time.’

#FREEMANRobusta2012 : 94 POINTS

#FREEMANSecco2013 : 93 POINTS
‘Finishes long and velvety, with the concentration to support aging through at least 2025.’

#FREEMANSangiovese2016 : 91 POINTS
‘Simply one of the most convincing New World Sangioveses I’ve tried...’

#FREEMANCoronaRed2016 : 91 POINTS
#FREEMANDolcino2013 : 91 POINTS
#FREEMANFortunaPinotGrisPlus2013 : 90 POINTS
#FREEMANRondoRosé2016 : 90 POINTS

#FREEMANCoronaWhite2017: 88 POINTS
‘Charming and easy to drink, then finishes with a bright burst of lime-like acidity.’

Good start to the New Year for the NSW Hilltops region featuring in the current issue of the HALLIDAY Magazine.

Fergal Gleeson has explored the region and highlighted his  ‘Top Pick’ wines to try.

They include FREEMAN Robusta ‘an epic wine’, FREEMAN Secco Rondinella Corvina, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and the FREEMAN Rondo Rosé 2017.

Read all about it here – Hilltops .

Then head to the NSW Hilltops but please be sure to call ahead and make an appointment: 0429 310 309

FREEMAN Secco Rondinella Corvina 2012

 

‘The best yet’ says Peter Bourne in GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE.  ‘Dense in colour and flavour with perfumes of dried sour cherries and ripe damson plums lifted by dried herbs…Has the depth and length to reward a decade in the cellar.’

So if you haven’t poured all yours yet – lay it down!

Esteemed wine observer Philip White has cracked his bottle of FREEMAN Robusta 2012 – and been transported to Shakespearean times.

‘ …A world of opulence and style, where the polished sheen of the drink hides the great aristocratic engine whirring within; where the complex panforte aromas of currants, figs, dates, prunes, nutmeg, mace, citrus rind and whatever are presented in such a finely-homogenised and harmonious syrup you simply cannot win … you name any luxurious item from the table of a renaissance monarch in Verona and it’s here with bells on.

In summary, Philip White sees this new addition to the portfolio as a ‘wine of incredible strength and depth that doesn’t seem gloopy. Instead, it’s savoury. It makes me hungry…’

For the full Renaissance rendition read on:

http://drinkster.blogspot.com/2017/07/robusta-terreno-power-of-one.html

The FREEMAN Robusta Corvina 2012 continues to attract attention. The latest practised palate to  review this powerful dried grape wine is Huon Hooke who scored it a feisty 92 Points and wrote,

‘The bouquet has some foresty soubois notes as well as red berries, the palate fruity and fresh; clean, bright and loaded with berry flavours. Lovely sweet raspberry and cherry…backed by good tannins….Delicious wine.’

Brian’s latest brainwave is FREEMAN Robusta Corvina 2012, which has 16.6% alcohol – but you wouldn’t guess it when you taste it. A spectacular red wine.

 

FREEMAN Robusta Corvina 2012 is attracting some powerful comparisons…

‘Rich as James Packer and dark as Rupert Murdoch’s soul, it’s Freeman Robusta 2012!’ writes Fergal Gleeson in his http://www.greatwineblog.com

He goes on to say,

‘Freeman Robusta tastes of cherries, chocolate and Christmas pudding. It has a heady 16.6% alcohol but it carries it comfortably, finishing dry and savoury. It swats aside most Shiraz like Jonah Lomu used to do with Englishmen. A meal in itself. This is the inaugural release but Robusta could become an Australian classic.’

Just launched the FREEMAN Robusta Corvina 2012 has packed a punch with the Winefront team. Mike Bennie rates it 93 POINTS and uses descriptors like ‘ Cracking wine..’ and ‘Super Stuff…’ It is Australia’s first and only home grown 100% Corvina wine made entirely from dried grapes, and joins a very small club. Very few Italian Amarone wines are pure Corvina. More lateral thinking from the FREEMAN team.

WINEGENIUS.COM

 

‘Good deep colour and shows savoury aromatics of blackberry with leather and earthy complexity. Dry, quite powerful, full-bodied and acid driven, it is a structural style with layers of fruit, character and dry, grainy tannins to match. Demands food and or time.’

93 POINTS

WINEFRONT By Campbell Mattinson
 
Building a proud/fine history…Savoury appeal. Mellow flavour. Assertive tannin but in an integrated way. This is good. Dust, chocolate, leather, sweet-sour cherries, tar. The flavours show some development but in a positive sense; this will be good to go anytime from now and over the next 10 years. Tannic kick, kitted with savoury character, is of particular note.’

93 POINTS

INDAILY.COM.AU By Philip White
 
Grown and made by Prof (ret.) Freeman at Hilltops on the broad uplands near Young. After a lifetime teaching people about grape vines he imported and in 1999 first established the Rondinella and Corvina varieties which are now right here in this really lovely wine. It was made from deliberately raisined grapes, although Freeman makes fair mileage from the fact that he shrinks his berries in a Prunevale neighbour’s prune dehydrator.

Stop. When I sniff this wine I shrivel. Then I melt. No reason to change this lovely fragrance. It is masterly. Complex. Composed. Sauvage. Sophisticated. Drink expectantly … once again, behind the flaps it’s a lithe, dry, blistered black bat of a drink, you guessed it, with real short furry tannin.’