Scarbolo Friuli Grave Cabernet 2010
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Parker
Robert
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Elegant, with lovely notes of spring blossom and verbena running through flavors of kumquat, white peach, stone and spice. Well-knit and creamy, with racy acidity leading to the mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2015. 1,500 cases made.
Scarbolo is a boutique family winery established in 1982 and today helmed by its third generation. Finding its nest in Friuli – Italy’s northeastern-most region, embraced by the Alps and the Adriatic Sea – the Winery pays homage to the uniquely gifted white wines its Land offers, focusing on the little known heritage of Pinot Grigio.
Originating from Grave, one of its lesser known appellations, the philosophy and wines of Valter Scarbolo embody a spirit of innovation, progress and at times rebellion, while proudly expressing the elegance, persistence and, most importantly, balance so unique to the Friulian terroir.
Today led by daughter and son Lara and Mattia, the Winery, in a metaphorical fashion of the growing Wheels in its logo, carries forward with dynamism and consolidates the original integrity, while shaping a contemporary, idyllic, and all-embracing credo.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
The source of some of Italy’s best and most distinctive white wines, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is where Italian, Germanic and Slavic cultures converge. The styles of wines produced in this region of Italy's far north-east reflect this merging of cultures. Often shortened to just “Friuli,” the area is divided into many distinct subzones, including Friuli Grave, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Collio Goriziano and Carso. The flat valley of Friuli Grave is responsible for a large proportion of the region’s wine production, particularly the approachable Pinot grigio and the popular Prosecco. The best vineyard locations are often on hillsides, as in Colli Orientali del Friuli or Collio. In general, Friuli boasts an ideal climate for viticulture, with warm sunny days and chilly nights, which allow grapes to ripen slowly and evenly.
In Colli Orientali, the specialty is crisp, flavorful white wine made from indigenous varieities like Friulano (formerly known as Tocai Friulano), Ribolla gialla and Malvasia Istriana.
Red wines, though far less common here, can be quite good, especially when made from the deeply colored, rustic Refosco variety. In Collio Goriziano, which abutts Slovenia, many of the same varieties are planted. International varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc are also common, but they tend to be Loire-like in style with herbaceous character and mellow tannins. Carso’s star grape is the red Teranno, notable for being rich in iron content and historically consumed for health purposes. It has an earthy, meaty profile and is often confused with the distinct variety Refosco.