Vineyards and winemaking
980 AD is produced entirely from Cabernet Franc grown on a single hectare at the top of Villa Saletta's Colline cru. Blue marl mixed with yellow sandstone and sand gives the site a complex soil structure, and the fruit is hand-picked and rigorously selected for this exceptionally limited cuvée.
The berries are fermented whole within small new Allier oak barrels, creating a protected redox environment that favours freshness, colour and measured extraction. Complete malolactic fermentation is followed by 24 months in new French oak and six months in bottle. The 2016 yielded just 780 standard bottles and 580 magnums.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Intense ruby with a near-opaque core and fine garnet highlights.
Nose
Blackcurrant, blueberry and black cherry unfold into violet, black pepper and rosemary, with layered notes of cocoa, roasted coffee and polished cedar.
Palate
Powerful yet precise, with concentrated dark fruit, bright acidity and a finely drawn line of Cabernet Franc freshness. The tannins are substantial but refined, supporting savoury herbs, graphite and dark chocolate through a long, complex finish.
Food pairing
Serve with fillet of beef and a truffle jus, roast saddle of lamb, wood pigeon with lentils, or a deeply flavoured celeriac and mushroom Wellington. Allow the magnum to stand upright before opening and taste first; decant gently only if the wine remains closed.
Background story
The name 980 AD marks the earliest written reference to winemaking at Villa Saletta. It is the estate's flagship Cabernet Franc and a highly selective expression of the Colline vineyard, produced in tiny quantities under the direction of winemaker David Landini.
This magnum offers slower, more even bottle development than the standard format and is particularly well suited to extended ageing or a larger table. As with any mature, limited-production wine, storage history can create subtle bottle variation, so careful opening and service are worthwhile.
