Marco Sara Cabernet Franc 'Frank' 2022

Marco Sara “Frank” Cabernet Franc 2022 - Friuli, Italy
28.00.    Soul Wine Price $23.80

Tucked up against the heavily forested foothills of the Julian Alps, Marco Sara and his family farm 8ha of (almost exclusively) grapes native to the Friuli Colli Orientali in the far NE corner of Italy. Forests protect his vines from the cold northern winds blowing down from Austria as well as providing biodiversity, while the proximity to the Adriatic ensures ventilating warm winds protecting the vineyards from disease. The soil here is called Ponca and is unique to Friuli and western Slovenia just a few miles away. It is composed of interspersed layers of Marl (calcareous clay), which is soft and absorbent and regulates water and hard, impervious sandstone that reduces vigor, keeping yields low. 

The Sara’s are justifiably proud of their organic vineyards and the beautiful land they occupy and, rightly, do not wish to “waste this heritage in the cellar.” To this end they employ hand harvesting, native yeasts, single parcel vinifications and “non-invasive cellar techniques that safeguard the identity of the territory.” The Cabernet Franc is the oddball in the lineup of otherwise indigenous varieties (Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Schioppettino, Refosco and Picolit) but is treated as a native son as Bordeaux grapes such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot have been a mainstay in Friuli for so long they are considered “non-foreign foreigners.” 

After a year’s aging in used wood barrels of various sizes, “Frank” is bottled without clarification or filtration and minimal use of SO2. The resulting wine is beautifully fresh and aromatic, medium-bodied with lively green pepper- and spice-tinged, brambly light-red fruit. Enjoy with the local prosciutto di San Daniele and smokey speck di Sauris, eggplant parm or roast chicken with rosemary and thyme. (Anders)