Giacomo Conterno - Barolo "Cascina Francia" 2020 (750ml)
Price: $339.99
| Producer | Giacomo Conterno |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Varietal | Nebbiolo |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | 203170 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Giacomo Conterno Description
The Giacomo Conterno winery is one of the greatest names in all of Piemonte. The estate was founded in the 1920’s by Roberto Conterno’s grandfather Giacomo from whom the estate gets its name. Giacomo was not the first in the family to make wine but he was the first to label the bottles with the family’s name. Giacomo’s father, Giovanni, had made Barolo from purchased grapes and whatever was not consumed at the family’s tavern during this period was sold in barrel, as was the custom throughout the region in the early twentieth century. Their flagship Riserva Barolo, Monfortino, was first conceived as a means of showing off the quality of their best wine and the first confirmed vintage to have been made was the 1924. There are reports that a 1912 Monfortino was made by Giovanni, but the family members cannot recall if this was indeed the case. In any event, after his return from World War I, Giacomo Conterno and his father Giovanni started producing Barolo in earnest, and a legend was started.
The Conterno style of Barolo has always been ultra-traditional, with a long maceration followed by extended aging in large, oak casks (botti). In the old days, aging was anywhere from four to ten years prior to bottling, and often longer, sometimes with multiple bottlings from the same vintage. Today, the "regular" Barolos are aged for four years before bottling, and the Monfortino for six to seven years - the only "modernist" concession in the entire vinification and aging process!
Cascina Francia produces some of the most mystical and age-worthy wines in Barolo. The Barolo Cascina Francia is typically intensely aromatic and layered. Rose petals, tar, licorice, spices, pomegranate, iron and rich red fruit are among the signatures.
Vinous: 98 Points
The 2020 Barolo Francia is fascinating to taste next to the 2021. A substantial young Barolo, the 2020 offers notable mid-palate density and tons of pure explosive energy. Savory and mineral notes abound, but at this stage, the 2020 is a Barolo of fruit and texture. Practically seamless tannins pull it all together. I have a slight preference for the 2021, but it is neck and neck between these two great Barolos. A second bottle enjoyed in a local restaurant a few days after this tasting was every bit as memorable.
Wine Advocate: 97+ Points
The Giacomo Conterno 2020 Barolo Francia shows balance and elegance with an especially mineral character that is specific to this wine. Red and blue fruit aromas add hints of sweetness, but the bouquet quickly moves to iron ore and dusty ferrous notes. Of these three single-vineyard Barolos, Arione has the finesse, Cerretta has volume and structured tannins and Francia, well, has an even greater sense of tannic intensity. These are age-worthy tannins that still feel quite firm and compact and will need more time to resolve.
