Freeman Wines

I was prepared to try all of Jared Dixon's Freeman wines from Young at Clunes Cellars (or Wine Store, if you see his great, new retro lit-up sign). The best of his selection is surely the 2012 Freeman Rondo Rosé, $20.00 (Rondinella is an Italian grape). It's a truly terrific Rosé in a beautiful salmon pink, that's dry, with only a subtle sweetness. The 2010 Freeman Shiraz from Clunes Cellars is surprisingly, even shockingly, like a peppery Shiraz from the Barossa. But it still drinks as quite young, being sharp and tart, with smoothness forgotten; there's also a Cab Sav and Tempranillo for $25. I was looking forward to the Pinot Gris but failed to notice the Plus on the title; this is a mixture of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Aleatico. While initially in my drinking I quite liked the adventurousness of mixing, I currently prefer sticking to a straight variety as being much more respectful of the grape.