Planeta Cabernet Franc Didacus 2020

Planeta Cabernet Franc Didacus 2020 is a deeply personal, limited-production red dedicated to the winery’s founder, Diego “Didacus” Planeta, and his lifelong vision for Sicilian wine. Crafted from the estate’s finest Cabernet Franc grapes near Menfi, it celebrates both the challenge and the potential of this noble Bordeaux variety in Sicily’s coastal terroir. This is a collector-worthy expression that marries Old World structure with Mediterranean warmth and elegance.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Didacus Cabernet Franc 2020 shows a deep, vibrant ruby hue with garnet flashes at the rim, signaling concentration and youth. The nose is intense yet refined, offering layered aromas of wild blackberry, blackcurrant, and ripe plum, interwoven with green peppercorn, graphite, dried Mediterranean herbs, and hints of tobacco, cocoa, and cedar from careful oak aging. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied but finely chiselled, with a core of dark fruit framed by polished tannins and bright, savory acidity. Flavors of black cherry, cassis, and mulberry unfold into more complex notes of bay leaf, sage, pencil shavings, and dark chocolate, leading to a long, persistent finish with a subtle mineral edge. Still youthful, the 2020 vintage has the structure and freshness to age gracefully for 10–15 years or more, developing greater complexity and tertiary notes with time in bottle.

Production
The Cabernet Franc Didacus 2020 is sourced from Planeta’s top parcels around Menfi on Sicily’s southwest coast, where coastal breezes, abundant sunshine, and well-drained, mixed clay- and limestone-rich soils help grapes achieve excellent ripeness while retaining freshness. Yields are kept low, and the best bunches are hand-harvested, with rigorous selection in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only top-quality fruit is used. After gentle destemming and fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks, the wine undergoes extended maceration to extract color, fine tannins, and aromatic complexity. It is then matured in French oak (largely barriques) for an extended period, allowing the variety’s pure character to meld with subtle spice, before being bottled with minimal intervention to preserve its sense of place.

Food & Serving
Planeta Didacus Cabernet Franc 2020 is a natural partner for richly flavored dishes such as grilled or roast lamb, dry-aged ribeye, venison, or slow-braised beef with herbs. It also pairs beautifully with game birds, truffle-infused dishes, aged pecorino or ragusano cheeses, and earthy preparations featuring mushrooms or lentils. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Bordeaux-style glasses to showcase its aromatics. Decanting for 1–2 hours before serving is recommended in its youth to allow the wine to open up and fully express its complexity.

Producer
Planeta is one of Sicily’s most influential modern wineries, a family estate that helped spearhead the island’s quality revolution from the late 20th century onward. Founded by Diego Planeta, the estate began in Menfi and has since expanded across several of Sicily’s most exciting terroirs, from coastal vineyards to higher-altitude sites. Planeta is renowned for combining meticulous vineyard work with thoughtful, contemporary winemaking, championing both international varieties and native grapes. The Didacus line stands as the family’s most personal and ambitious project, honoring Diego’s legacy and showcasing just how refined and world-class Sicilian wines—especially Cabernet Franc from Menfi—can be.

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