Excellent Langtons Classification. The
Freedom Block was established 1843, planted to vine by Lutheran settlers, Christian Auricht and his kin, early pioneers who were escaping persecution and war, just seven years after South Australia was colonised. They found freedom to work, worship and prosper in the Barossa.
The Freedom has not only survived but thrives to this day, it yields an extraordinary Shiraz wine. These thick trunked, dry grown, low yielding, gap toothed old vines on the banks of North Para River, may be the oldest surviving Shiraz in Australia.
A single vineyard wine of rare excellence. When the current operators acquired Freedom, these sacred parcels had lain unattended for almost a decade. After four years of devoted hand pruning and careful viticulture, the precious vines were nursed back to manageable conditions. These dry grown, hand pruned old vines yield less than two tonnes per acre, surrendering only the most exceptional grapes exhibiting extreme intensity of flavour. Grapes are hand picked, gently crushed and treated to an open fermentation and basket pressing into a selection of mostly new French oak barriques for two years maturation, handled in such a way as to preserve the integrity of the Freedom 1843 vineyard.
TASTING NOTESMedium to deep red crimson with purple hues. Satsuma plum and lifted raspberry perfume mingle with lovely biscuit and vanillin French oak, hints of menthol and sweet spice. Rich, sweet fruit flows onto the palate, balanced by fine, well integrated French oak. Velvety smooth yet youthfully austere tannins and good acidity adds to the balance with the sweet and slightly briar spice flowing through onto the long and bright fruited finish.