Freeman Secco Rondinella Corvina 2017

If you have tasted Amarone or Ripasso from Veneto before, this wine would make you feel like you are back in the north-eastern Italian region. If you haven’t tried it yet instead, what are you waiting for? This is a blend of native Italian black grapes rondinella and corvina, a portion of which has been dried slowly for 10 days before being married with the rest of the fermenting juice. Brian Freeman in the Hilltops (NSW) is the specialist of those distinctive dried, and semi-dried styles of reds. Similarly to those from the appassimento method (drying grapes) that is widely used across Veneto, the wine displays concentrated aromas of dried cranberries, prunes, Cherry Ripe, sweet liquorice. All seasoned by a good dose of spices: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla. Tannins are mouth coating, the sweetness on the palate is indicative of the drying method rather than the level of alcohol that, although high, helps to balance the concentration of the flavours. Full-bodied and highly tempting, it has, despite its armour, the freshness of those North Italian big reds that want to be enjoyed with food. Not just great with slow cooked meat but also homemade tagliatelle with duck ragout.