Cabernet Franc – 2018

TRE BICCHIERE / GAMBERO ROSSO

The only regional red from Friuli Venezia Guilia that earned Tre Bicchiere is Le Monde’s Cabernet Franc ’18, a wine with a vibrant, racy development, very pleasant to drink.

While the spelling looks French, don’t forget that we’re in Italy, so when you say it, the winery’s name should sound a bit like the first day of the week in English (lay MON-day). A leader in the world of regional winemaking, the producer was founded in 1970 in Villa Giustinian di Portobuffolè. In 2008 it was taken over by Alex Maccan, who built a modern cellar, entrusting it to oenologist Giovanni Ruzzene. The high production quality results from the choice (a rare one in these parts) to opt for low yields per hectare, relying on vines that go back well over 30 years on average. We always like risk takers, and so this year we attributed Tre Bicchieri to a red wine, the Cabernet Franc ’18. Ease of drinking is its best feature – it comes across as simple, but an in-depth analysis reveals gustatory vivacity and pleasantness from beginning to end.

Since Alex Maccan took over the estate in 2008, the wines have soared in quality.

He doesn’t make wine for the scores in magazines, he makes wine for the people. This guy is serious about making the best reds in Friuli and this 2018 is outstanding. The wine has impeccable balance and purity like great Cab Franc should. The estate dates back to the 17th century but a modern winery is now crafting these Friulian gems. In the glass the wine has a garnet and ruby red color. Aromatics of cherry, strawberry, roses and herbal notes fill the air. Flavors of black cherries, dark berries and spice fill the palate. The wine is silky and pure with finesse and elegance.

Pair with: herb baked chicken, grilled salmon, pork tacos or pasta puttanesca.

– Jeff Anderson, St. Cloud MN Times, April 2022

The Le Monde locality, which is located between the banks of the Livenza and Meduna rivers, on the border with Veneto, is considered a real cru. The Pinot Bianco 2022 confirms itself at the top of the typology, showing off a profile characterized by the elegance of the fragrance in its tone of wisteria and lemon peel. On the palate it is slim, defined and with a long tasting finish, showing off the elegance and fragrance that it has always demonstrated.