Nino Franco 2017 Faìve Rosé Brut

90
Nino Franco 2017 Faìve Rosé Brut 12%
Beautifully peachy pink in the glass, this is an energetic, youthful sparkler with pronounced and prolonged fizz accentuating the crisply bustling palate. Rather medium bodied, there is excellent mid-palate focus thanks to the Merlot. The light underbrush notes from start to finish reflect Cabernet Franc's aromatic generosity. The fruit flavors are perky and red, ranging from cranberry to goji berry with rhubarb accents. They all shine through in an unexpected burst of fruit on the medium finish. An undercurrent of minerality hums from first to last drop. A wine with an upfront personality, this is best served at the table, not as an aperitivo, and preferably in a wine glass rather than a flute in order to enjoy its enticing bouquet.

For the wine geeks: while made in the Nino Franco cellars in Valdobbiadene, this blended spumante (80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) technically is not a Prosecco for several reasons. First, Nino Franco makes Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. The Prosecco Rosé category applies only to more basic Prosecco DOC. Second, this hails from the 2017 vintage, and the Prosecco Rosé DOC will not be available for use until 2020 harvest. By the way, Faìve Rosé was first made in 2004! Third, the grape varieties used are different. Prosecco DOC will require the majority of the wine to be made of the traditional white Prosecco grape, Glera, along with Pinot Nero for coloring. The differences add up to make the Faìve Rosé Brut a more intense and concentrated sparkling with with a definitively dry edge and focused finish.