Azienda Agricola 499 - Freisa - Langhe, Piemonte, IT - 2018

@499vino

Notes from the Winery/Importer

Freisa is Nebbiolo’s closest relative, a variety indigenous to Piedmont. The slightly wild and engaging cousin of Piedmont’s king grape, Freisa can boast the same assertive acidity and tannins but also offers a more accessible overall profile that shines in its youth yet ages beautifully. 499’s Freisa is seamless with juicy flavors, balanced, soft tannins and overall delicious drinkability.

Notes on the Producer

Azienda Agricola 499 was born from the friendship between and complimentary skills of Gabriele Saffirio and Mario Andrion to create a new and ambitious artisanal grape growing and winemaking estate focused on the hyper-regional Piedmont varieties of Freisa and Moscato. Andrion is also winemaker at the esteemed Barolo and Barbaresco estate Castello di Verduno. Saffirio previously worked at one of Barolo’s best, Fratelli Brovia. Together, for this very personal project, they are pioneering the rebirth of single site Freisa and Moscato in the steep, limestone rich hills 20 km to the east of Alba. The winery name comes from the elevation of Camo (499m), where the estate is located. This is a village at the top of one of the highest hills of the Langhe region. These cool climate, high altitude conditions allow 499 to achieve the perfect phenolic and aromatic ripeness and ideal natural acidity.