Franchetti 2017
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
This unique blend of petit verdot and cesanese d’Affile is grown in contrada Guardiola at 820 meters above sea level. The winemaker’s interpretation of a full-bodied wine on Etna.
The heatwaves that hit the mainland of Italy also came to Etna. With no drops in temperature that usually brighten the nights, the long, hot summer lasted until mid-September. We had to add a little water to the vines to help them through. The grapes that went in to the Franchetti wine of 2017 had ripened steadily and gradually during late summer and, especially, fall. We were able to pick them at the right time for the best combination of fruit and structure without hurry: I would run up every morning to find the same little jump forward in maturity. We made a rich mixed wine of petit verdot and cesanese d’Affile. The wine reminds one of red fruits, it is very fresh and has beautiful, strong fruit. The blend is 60% petit verdot and 40% cesanese d’Affile.
REVIEWS
Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, 96+ points: “Andrea Franchetti’s namesake 2017 Franchetti is a blend of 60% Petit Verdot and 40% Cesanese d’Affile from a vintage known for dark and extra rich fruit. This is a gorgeous wine that opens to an inky dark appearance and opulent aromas of midnight black fruit, spice, tar and campfire ash. The heat of the vintage has contributed to the immensity and fullness of this extremely opulent wine. There is some oak spice on the close thanks to eight months in new French barrique and ten months in cement vats. This is an A-lister for sure and a true beauty. Sadly, only 4,290 bottles were made.”
Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, 92 points: “Though focused and full-bodied, this is elegant overall, seamlessly knitting crushed mulberry, bay leaf and black plum flavors with fine-grained, dense tannins and graphite and smoke accents. Creamy, lingering finish. Petit Verdot and Cesanese. Drink now through 2030.”
BLEND
60% Petit Verdot
40% Cesanese d’Affile
PRODUCTION
4,290 bottles
ALTITUDE
820 m asl (2,700 feet)
