Russiz Superiore, 2017 Cabernet Franc, Collio DOC, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy
Cab Franc du Jour #34
Russiz Superiore can trace its history back to 1273. The estate was purchased in 1967 by fourth-generation grape grower Marco Felluga, and today it is run by his son Roberto, with his daughter soon to take over as the sixth generation. Within the Felluga family’s two winemaking estates in Collio, Russiz Superiore is regarded as the cru.
Collio occupies the northeastern corner of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and it was a French nobleman from Lorraine, Théodor de la Tour en Voivre, who is credited with introducing French varieties including Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and others to the region in the mid-1800s. Today Cabernet Franc is the second most planted red grape in Collio after Merlot, accounting for approximately 4% of the appellation’s production.
Collio is primarily known as a white wine region, and the area is quite varied in terms of its terroirs and microclimates, so it is worth explaining why Cabernet Franc has found such a natural home at Russiz Superiore specifically. The estate is in the township of Capriva del Friuli, about 3km south of the Slovenian border in the foothills of the Julian Pre-Alps and roughly 30km from the Adriatic Sea. The climate here is gentle, moderated by the combination of cool alpine breezes and warm air from the sea, producing warm days and cool nights without the major temperature spikes that can challenge Cabernet Franc elsewhere. The sub-zone also receives more sunshine than anywhere else in Collio, which is important for achieving phenolic ripeness and minimizing pyrazines in the finished wine.
The soils are what is known locally as ponca, a type of flysch, a sedimentary soil with alternating layers of marl and sandstone. Ponca is a hard, dense soil with excellent drainage, which is particularly important given that Collio can receive upwards of 1,600mm of rainfall annually. The soil is also alkaline with a high pH, which contributes to higher natural acidity and greater finesse in the finished wines.
Russiz Superiore has 6.8 hectares of Cabernet Franc vines, all planted by massale selection and averaging around 50 years of age. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged for approximately 18 months in barrel.
Wine Details
Producer: Russiz Superiore (Macro Felluga)
Region: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy
Appellation: Collio DOC
Commune/Sub-Zone: Capriva del Friuli
Soil: Flysch known locally as "ponca" (alternating layers of sandstone and marl)
Alcohol: 13.5%