499 Freisa Langhe 2014

This is a rare find. Freisa is one of the parent grapes of Nebbiolo, so heavily tannic that it was often made into sparkling wine. Mario Andrion and Gabriele Saffirio of 499 (the altitude of their highest vineyards) focus on Freisa to revive this historic variety. This is the most approachable Freisa we’ve tasted: earthy, with raspberry, strawberry, fig, prune, and violets, the grape’s characteristic high acidity on the palate, with firm, grainy tannins.