From the producer: Within the gorgeous frame of the vineyards in Vencò-Dolegna del Collio, a few steps from the boundary with Slovenia, Tenuta Sant’Helena stands out. The mild climate, provided by the pro-tection of the Julian Alps northwards and the openness to the Adriatic sea southwards and the fertile soil made up of sandstone marls from Eocene origin create a magnificent environment for grape growing. “Ponca” is, in the Friulian language, the name of this superb terroir. It represents the fundamental starting point from which particular production styles are developed, such as the cold maceration of white grapes, through a short contact with the skins, and a light raisining of red grapes, that are enriched with structure and personality. This is how wines with an intriguing aromatic set, a robust and embracing body and astonishing evolution potentialities are created.
While Friuli Venezia Giulia's (FVG) white wines re-defined what Italian whites could be in the 70's and 80's, FVG was often considered too cold and rainy for late-ripening reds like Cabernet and Merlot as well as regional natives like Refosco or Schioppettino to have too much success. However, as weather patterns have warmed and dried over the region in the last decade or two, the success and quality of FVG late-ripening reds has become undeniable.
Lot 260 2017 Trevenezie Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the estate vineyards of Tenuta Sant'Helena in IGT Trevenezie (DOC Friuli Grave - all Fantinel Family estate vineyard). The wine is produced with 20% appasimento (or drying of the grapes) and aged in French and Slovakian oak barriques for 18-months. The 2015 version was the last scored wine at 91-points from James Suckling and 2017 is a similar vintage in terms of quality.
Deep ruby in the glass. Concentrated, layered, intense bouquet of blackberry, black cherry, graham cracker, sandalwood and spice with a shoe polish and leather halo with just a kiss of dried flower. Excellent, full-bodied-yet-elegant structure with seamless, focused mid-palate redolent with mineral-driven plum and blackberry layered over spicy earth and leather notes.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% estate fruit
13.5% alc.
