G.D. Vajra - Langhe Freisa Kyè 2018

In 2004, Freisa was discovered to be the closest relative to Nebbiolo, thus explaining the deep bond this variety has with Piemonte and its people. With a noble profile and similar characteristics to the Nebbiolo, we have been bottling a dry Langhe DOC Freisa ever since 1989. Kyé means ‘who is?’ and represents the surprise for this indigenous and forgotten grape

Estate vineyards, the oldest located in San Ponzio, on the lower west border of Bricco delle Viole. This is the closest vineyard to the winery, and a selezione massale planted by Aldo in 1980.

Freisa is one of the latest varietals to be picked, due to its ripening pattern. Grapes are sorted manually three times: directly on the vine, as whole clusters on the sorting tables, and lastly as single berries after destemming. Fermentation lasts around 15 to 25 days in vertical vats, and is followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation.

Langhe DOC Freisa Kyé is aged for 26 months, mostly in large oak casks. It displays a beautiful, translucent garnet color. The aromatics are a combination of redcurrant and wild mountain berries, layered with a touch of sweet spices, fresh leather, and candied japonica prune. The mouth is juicy, succulent, with lots -yet never hefty- tannins. There is a beautiful structure in this vintage and a lovely, lovely finish.

"The wine name asks “who is it?” and refers to the difficultly in identifying the grape used to make this wine. A pure expression of Freisa, one of the most beloved local indigenous varieties, this wine opens to dark concentration with shiny garnet highlights. The 2018 Langhe Freisa Kyè shows baked cherry and barbecue smoke." - 92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2018 Langhe Freisa Kyè is quite refined in this vintage and yet it also shows all of the aromatic nuance and complexity that are such signatures of this variety and wine. Dried herbs, rose petal, lavender, mint and spice lend exotic nuance to this deep, beautifully layered Freisa. The Kyè is one of the sleepers of Piedmont's 2018 vintage. It is, quite frankly, as good or better than some Barolos in this tricky vintage." - 93 points, Antonio Galloni Vinous

Producer: G.D. Vajra 

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Varietal: Freisa

Appellation: Langhe DOC

Vintage: 2018

Size: 750ml