2018 L Franc ******, Proprietà Sperino

• Style: Savoury, mineral-driven Cabernet Franc
• Taste: Cassis, chocolate, tobacco leaf, dark plum, earthy minerals
• Food: Beef, duck, game, stews & braises
• Occasion: Gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 16–18°C, now or age 10+ years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

This Cabernet Franc stands alone, delivering floral lift and aromatic precision from full ripeness. Medium-bodied with genuine backbone, its structure rests on bright acidity and silken tannins. Aromas of chocolate and earthy minerals lead into cassis, tobacco leaf and dark plum—flavours born from Lessona's volcanic hillside soil, rich in iron, manganese and trace elements that push mineral tension through every sip.

The Winery — Proprietà Sperino

Paolo De Marchi, owner of celebrated Isole e Olena in Chianti Classico, inherited and revitalised this 12-hectare estate with his son Luca, who now makes the wines. The 2018 vintage gave growers every advantage: a long, cool winter delayed budburst, then a warm summer coaxed the grapes to full maturity without rush. Grapes from a single 0.4-hectare vineyard were sorted carefully, fermented with natural yeasts in open wooden vats over 30 days, then aged 18 months partly in new French oak before bottling. Vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Duck, game and venison are its natural companions—anything with a touch of char from the grill will find an ally here. It's equally at home with stews, braises, roast dinners, steak, and pasta or risotto dishes. If you're exploring Italy's wine regions beyond the obvious, Piedmont offers some of the continent's most refined and food-friendly bottles, and this producer is one of the finest examples we've found. Drinks beautifully now, though it will age gracefully for a decade or more. Serve at 16–18°C. Worth tasting against anything from the region at this price.