​Cabernet Franc Villa Vitas

The wine we are talking about is Cabernet Franc Friuli D.O.C. Villa Vitas 2020. Here is our tasting experience.

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Cabernet Franc is an international grape of uncertain origin. Some experts think it comes from the Iberian side of the Pyrenees, other experts think it comes from the Bordeaux area, where today it is widespread and is the basis of its famous red wines. In Italy, this vine is found in the north-eastern regions, in particular, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, in the Colli Orientali area and in the province of Udine, where it is vinified in purity, reaching very high quality levels.

Villa Vitas winery is located in the province of Udine, in Cervignano del Friuli, in the small hamlet of Strassoldo, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy. Its founder, Romano Vitas, bought the estate, characterized by an eighteenth-century mansion surrounded by vineyards, in 1937, after it had been owned by some councilors of the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. Today, Roberto Vitas and his family lead the winery, carrying on a centuries-old tradition. In recent years, Villa Vitas has carried out a complete reorganization of the vineyard area and introduced the latest generation of cultivation and winemaking systems.

The vines at the base of the Villa Vitas wines are those typical of the area, Friulano, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Traminer and Ribolla Gialla, with some international varieties, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc which here express themselves to the maximum. The clayey soils, their richness and the Mediterranean climate are the key elements that make the area, in which the winery is located, particularly fertile and suitable.

Its Cabernet Franc 2020 is obtained from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes, harvested by hand between the end of September and the beginning of October, subjected to alcoholic fermentation, at a controlled temperature of 22 °C, with maceration on the skins and spontaneous malolactic fermentation. This is followed by an aging of several months in steel tanks and then in the bottle, before being marketed. This allows the typical aromas of the grape to manifest themselves clearly on the nose.

Let's move on to tasting.

Cabernet Franc Villa Vitas 2020 shows an intense and deep red color with light violet reflections. The olfactory profile is typical. The mix of spicy scents (pepper), notes of pepper and vegetable aromas, characteristic of the grape, are immediately recognizable. Moreover, the vinification method adopted by the winery aims to bring out the aromaticity of Cabernet Franc in the most authentic way. The goal was achieved, no doubt!

The taste is well balanced: soft and enveloping, supported by a good structure (13% vol.). It has a savory vein that gives a slight sensation of freshness that makes the sip very pleasant.

In our opinion, this wine is perfect with grilled meats, thanks to its softness that attenuates the bitter tendency of these preparations, and to its aroma that recalls that given by this type of cooking. It is also perfect with game dishes!

Recommended for those who want to enjoy all the aromas that Cabernet Franc is able to express!