#465 100 Grapes - Fresia

Another grape variety that you might not have heard of is Fresia.  Popular in the latter decades of the 19th century in Piedmont, with it's origins thought to be between Asti and Turin, it has a link to the Nebbiolo grape, it has a similar flavour to this grape with a lot of tannin and acid with a bitter/sweet flavour making both Parker and Hugh Johnson are fans of the grape.

It hasn't really been exported outside of it's Piedmont home so the wine I tried was from this region.

2009 Claudio Marlotto Braghe Da Uve di Fresia

Some cherry, bitter chocolate and cream on the nose with some sweet cigar tobacco coming off.  The palate has a nice, soft red and black berry flavours, some spice with a little bit of dark coffee bean and leather coming through.  Quite nice - a touch of hot alcohol on the finish, but not too much.  90pts £10.49