Freeman Corvina 'Robusta' Altura Vineyard 2015

Produced by Freeman Vineyards in the elevated Hilltops region of New South Wales, Freeman Robusta is one of Australia's most distinctive red wines. Created by Dr Brian Freeman, former Head of Viticulture and Oenology at Charles Sturt University, this bold and innovative wine showcases the extraordinary potential of the northern Italian grape variety Corvina when grown in the cool-climate conditions of the Hilltops. The winery is Australia's only producer of Corvina and Rondinella, making Robusta a truly unique expression in the Australian wine landscape.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby to garnet in colour, Freeman Robusta delivers intense aromas of black cherry, dried plum, dark chocolate, spice and dried herbs, layered with savoury earthy notes. The palate is rich, concentrated and full-bodied, with powerful tannins, dark fruit intensity and remarkable depth. Despite its structure and power, extended maturation creates a wine of balance and complexity, finishing long, savoury and persistent.

Winemaking

Unlike the flagship Freeman Secco, which blends Corvina and Rondinella, Robusta is crafted entirely from Corvina grapes. In the spirit of traditional Amarone winemaking, all fruit is partially dried for approximately ten days in a neighbouring solar-powered prune dehydrator before fermentation. This drying process concentrates flavour, colour and tannin, producing a wine of exceptional richness and intensity.

Fermentation extends over two months, extracting maximum flavour and structure from the fruit. The young wine is then matured for two years in seasoned oak barrels, allowing the robust tannins to soften and integrate while preserving the purity of the fruit and varietal character.

Food Pairing

Perfect with:

Slow-braised beef cheeks
Osso buco
Venison
Lamb shanks
Rich pasta dishes
Aged hard cheeses
Chargrilled ribeye steak