North-east Italy is best known for its texture, aromatic and spicy white wines, some of which are among the best white wines made anywhere. While reds generally play a secondary role, there are many good examples made from varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Refosco.
We generally don’t associate Friuli with inexpensive, everyday wines. Fiegl is one producer that defies perceptions. Its ‘Villa Dugo’ Cabernet Franc, with a retail price of around $22 per bottle, is a genuine bargain. It possesses perfectly balanced, ripe Cabernet Franc fruit, with no sign of excess or green herbaceousness.
This is a highly elegant, refined and supple wine. It invites one in with attractive aromatics. No more than medium in body, it is restrained. While unmistakably Cabernet Franc, it avoids its herbaceousness tendencies. For those who enjoy understated wines rather than simple, ‘big fruit’, there is a lot to like here.
2013 FIEGL ‘VILLA DUGO’ CABERNET FRANCProducer: Soc. Agricole Fiegl
Variety: Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2013
Region: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Diam
Retail Price: $22.00
Date tasted: 16 October 2015
Tasting Note:
Mid-garnet. Attractive nose of blackcurrant, cherry, freshly tilled earth, truffle, pencil shavings, pine resin. Dry, medium bodied, elegant and stylish. Epitome of restraint. Fine, supple and suave with nothing out of place – immaculately balanced. Soft and silky in a Pinot Noir way, but definitely Cabernet Franc. Drink now. Genuine bargain.
Score: 17.5/20
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