1997 Gallo Frei Vineyard

[winoweenie]

Opened last nite . Deep ruby and a lack of perfume at first. First sip showed lots of red and black fruit and a " Marthas " menthol that was intrusive. After 30 minutes, the menthol receded and a cassis, bakers chocolate note appeared. Another hour and this hummer started showing all its' colors. Lots of fruit, a minty note tied into a vein of all-spice gives this Frei a distinctive taste that is wrapped 'round soft, supple tannins that will carry this lovely bottling another 4-5 and hold another 7-10. Always my favorite of the Gallo vineyard bottlings. 90/92 WW. 25 per [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Bucko]

They are doing a good job. Maybe that name stigma will die away over the years.

[RAD]

Frei is your fav, huh? If it's better than the Barelli Creek, I'll definitely look for it!

RAD

[winoweenie]

Has always been the leader of the pack IMHO. WW

[newsguy]

interesting, cause the frei has been my least favorite of the three. i've always thought the barrelli creek to be head and shoulders above the others, with stefani number two. was at my regular wine shop the other night and saw they had just put the 97 frei cab on the shelves and immediately noticed the $24.99 pricetag. they sell the others two bottlings at $19.99. i'm guessing this might be gallo's way of telling us that starting next year, all three will be going at a higher price. i'll grab a bottle of the 97 frei on my next trip to try on the weener's recommendation.

BTW, am tasting the 99 pine ridge tonight. can't wait! will post tomorrow.

[winoweenie]

As stated meeny times here on the ole' bored, IMHO, all 3 of the vineyard designated cabs that the lovely Gina produces are great. So far however, as the wines age, I've found the components in the Frei comes together more smoothly than the other 2. It's not that they don't improve, it's just that the Frei develops aromatics that are more to my tastes. I haven't dumped EENY of them other dudes so far. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Drew]

Had a glass of the '97 Frei yesterday at one of my fav wine shops. Opened in front of me the nose leepded from the bottle. Huge aromas of cassis and dark fruit. Like flavors, with a little raisiny touch that was enjoyable with hints of allspice and chocolate. The tannins, of this bottling, were big and grainy. Everything about this bottle was big and in your face, actually too big at this young stage unless you have a slab of beast to consume with it. A Delicious offering from Gallo that I think has better potential than the Barelli, IMHO.

Drew

[winoweenie]

Glad you had a good 'sperience there Ga-Drew-Boomster. The Frei always takes longer to come together than the other 2 bottlings. At 8 to 10 it really blossoms. Took some 94s' to the beach. Was tasty as all git-out. WW

[raggedy1]

the frei has always been a few dollars more than the barrelli around here

[sharktanq]

I tried the Barelli Creek last week on viewing rants and raves about it here on the board, and REALLY liked it, and thought I would try the Frei. I'm glad someone here had it, and posted positive about it. I will get it this afternoon, and have it over the weekend. Has anyone had the 96 Frei? It is also about 19.99. I thought I'd pick it up and do a vertical with the Frei 96 and 97 and the Barelli 97. Also, I know this isn't the Zin forum, but has anyone had the Barelli or Frei Zin?

[Drew]

I had the '96 Frei several months ago. A very good bottle with coarse tannins that need resolving but no near the concentration of the '97 IMHO.

Drew

[winoweenie]

Opened another yesterday and this critter be hanging tough. One change in both the nose and palate is the dissapearance of the menthol note this wine had earlier. Also the allspice has ratched up a notch but still a very pleasant bottle. Dead OTOIG. Drink up. WW

[winoweenie]

;*( ;*( ;*( ( Background trumpet playing taps ). Talk about going downhill at Aspen this hummer has slid faster than Drewski whenced him cleared his driveway wif' his butt last winter. Dead Soldier. Still drinkable but without the pleezure I so dearly love. WW

[newsguy]

Really sorry to hear that, WW. I had a 94 Frei Ranch cab back in April that was absolutely singing. But, that was from a magnum. Was drinking wonderfully.

[winoweenie]

I'm not so sure that the 94s' in general haven't aged better than the 97s'. I've yet to find a dead 94 even tho KC tried to hide the buggers so's I culdnt find em'. WW

[Kcwhippet]

Say what????

[winoweenie]

It be the only explanation of the amount of orphans that have turned up since youse went unescorted, nor observed, and wifout company into this carefully documented cellar reputedly to take pixchures. :lol: B-) :-T