Freycinet Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 Review: Tasmanian Structure, But Does It Come Together?
We opened the Freycinet Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 expecting a classic Tasmanian expression: fresh, balanced, and quietly expressive. At this price, the question becomes whether the wine can justify its position through cohesion, evolution in the glass, or compatibility with food.
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Vintage: |
2023 |
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Region: |
Tasmania, Australia |
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Varietal: |
Pinot Noir |
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ABV: |
13.8% |
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RRP: |
~$68.99 AUD |
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Format: |
750 mL |
Appearance
Clear in the glass with a ruby red core that remains transparent. The colour holds through the centre before gently fading toward the rim into a lighter, translucent edge.
The legs are relatively thick but fall quickly, suggesting some weight without heaviness.
Aroma / Nose
Straight from the bottle, the nose is muted with a light impression of wood. With air, the aromatic lift reveals fresh red cherry rather than anything jammy or overripe. An understated spice and oak note sits underneath, providing framework without dominating the profile.
Palate / Taste
The first impression leans almost sweet, driven by fresh red berry and a hint of plum. That early generosity gives way to the wine’s textural framework. Tannins are present but gentle, creating a light grip across the cheeks and gums without tightening the palate.
On the swallow, a subtle bitterness emerges toward the front of the tongue, followed by noticeable warmth that carries through the roof of the mouth and lingers retronasally.
Finish
The finish lingers with gentle grip, warmth, and a faint bitterness. The fruit fades relatively quickly, leaving a more structural impression than a fruit-driven one.
Food Pairing
None of the foods tested caused the wine to become harsh or unbalanced, but each pairing pushed it further toward structure and away from its more generous opening.
Grilled salt and pepper chicken breast:
Oak becomes more apparent while acidity builds at the front of the tongue. The wine feels lighter and less expressive.
Sautéed mushrooms with leek and pine nuts:
The savoury elements emphasise structure over flavour intensity, though the pairing remains composed.
Snowdonia Black cheese:
Fat softens some of the wine’s edges and creates the most successful pairing of the evening, though complete harmony never develops.
Across all pairings, the wine remained balanced and approachable, but none of the dishes fundamentally changed our impression of it.
ATC Verdict: Is It Worth the Splurge?
Not quite for us.
This is a wine we enjoyed, but one that never fully settles into itself. Neither time in the glass nor the pairings we tested resolved the gap between its appealing opening and the more structured finish that followed. While balanced and technically sound throughout, it never became more convincing as the evening progressed.
At this price, we expected either greater cohesion or a clearer sense of purpose. Instead, the wine remained pleasant, composed, and slightly elusive. We kept returning to the glass, but never quite discovered what would elevate it beyond a good Pinot Noir into a memorable one.
Composed and enjoyable, but never quite finding its centre.
Editor’s Note
This wine was assessed both on its own and alongside grilled salt and pepper chicken breast, sautéed mushrooms with leek and pine nuts, and Snowdonia Black cheese. While each pairing altered the balance of the wine, none fundamentally changed our overall impression.
Adrian, Editor at All That Is Cool
Please drink responsibly.
All alcohol reviews on All That Is Cool are intended for audiences aged 18+. We support mindful, moderate consumption and only feature bottles we’ve personally tasted and evaluated.
