Sessanta Cabernet Franc 2019 Ferlat

Sessanta Cabernet Franc 2019 Ferlat: the wild depth of a great Friulian red

Sessanta Cabernet Franc 2019 by Ferlat is a deep, visceral wine that expresses the purest and most sincere soul of Cabernet Franc grown in Cormòns. Sourced from a single plot of vines over 60 years old, from which it takes its name, this red wine embodies an artisanal and uncompromising vision. Ferlat allows the grape’s noble core to emerge without manipulation, letting time and terroir write their own story in the glass.

Vineyard philosophy and cellar approach

In the vineyard, sustainable and manual farming is practiced, with obsessive attention to soil health and plant balance. The Sessanta vines are living heritage: deep roots and mature plants that yield concentrated, character-rich grapes. In the cellar, intervention is minimal: spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, long skin contact, and aging in used wood. No filtering or fining—just raw respect for the fruit.

Sensory analysis

The color is a dense, bright ruby red with garnet nuances that hint at its bottle age. On the nose, it is deep and intriguing, with notes of green pepper, graphite, tomato leaf, and cherry in alcohol, layered with balsamic and faintly bloody hints. The palate is taut and vibrant, with finely sculpted tannins, a fresh acidic backbone, and a long, dry, mineral finish that fades into earthy and spicy tones.

Recommended pairings

Ideal with braised red meats, slow-cooked game, hearty roasts, or aged washed-rind cheeses. Excellent with bold dishes like stews, wild boar ragù, or spiced Eastern cuisines. A wine that calls for depth and slowness.

Technical sheet

• Name: Sessanta Cabernet Franc 2019

• Producer: Ferlat

• Region: Cormòns, Friuli Venezia Giulia

• Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Franc

• Vine age: Over 60 years

• Training system: Guyot

• Soil: Clay with stones

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation in steel tanks, 25-day maceration

• Aging: 18 months in used barriques, then 12 months in bottle

• Alcohol content: 13.5%

• Bottle size: 0.75 L

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Ferlat – Wines of Borderlands and Identity, in Cormons

In the beating heart of the Friulian Collio, in Cormons, nestled among the final eastern folds of Friuli Venezia Giulia near the Slovenian border, Ferlat stands as one of the most authentic and quietly revolutionary voices of the region. Today, Federico Ferlat and his family farm 6 hectares of vines organically, with an artisanal, essential, and deeply site-driven approach.

A Friulian identity, never clichéd

Ferlat’s wines are born from a clear philosophy: no trend-chasing, only listening to the vineyard and the vintage. The Collio can be bright and saline, but also deep and textural. Each wine aims to reveal the true nature of the grape (Friulano, Malvasia Istriana, Merlot, Refosco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon) through spontaneous fermentations, minimal intervention maceration, and ageing in steel or large wooden casks, depending on the character of the fruit.

A frontier land with a farmer’s soul

Ferlat is a borderland winery, shaped by diverse cultures, languages, and rural traditions. This plural identity lives in the wines, which are free yet rigorous, vibrant yet balanced. Federico’s hand is precise but never intrusive, and a deep rural sensibility pervades the work: there is obsessive care for grape health, vineyard biodiversity, and the natural flow of winemaking.

A personal, recognizable style

The whites are often luminous, vertical, and saline, but never lack texture and depth. The skin-contact wines are never caricatures: Friulano and Pinot Grigio Ramato are reference points for balance and integrity. The reds, from Refosco to Merlot, speak the Friulian dialect of the soil, with sculpted tannins and pure fruit.