1994 Barolo Cascina Francia
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Tasting notes
Our last flight showcases two very different expressions of Nebbiolo with bottle age. Conterno’s 1994 Barolo Cascina Francia is one of the most surprising wines of the night. Up until a few weeks before harvest, Giovanni Conterno believed 1994 was going to be an epic vintage. Then heavy rains fell for several weeks and washed away all of those hopes. Conterno never again spoke about the potential quality of a harvest until he had the grapes in his cellar. I have had the 1994 many times over the years. For a long time, the 1994 was an under the radar, relatively affordable Conterno Barolo. On this night, the 1994 is quite a bit deeper and fleshier than it has been in the past, with striking, mature Nebbiolo aromatics and phenomenal balance. In a word: sublime.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1994 Barolo Cascina Francia reveals amber in its ruby/garnet color. Scents of Chinese black tea, cedar wood, smoked duck, soy, licorice, and tobacco jump from the glass of this aromatic Barolo. It is forward with sweet, round, old style flavors, dusty tannin, and wonderful glycerin and concentration. It should drink well for 12-15 years. This impeccably made, traditional wine is not for everybody, but it will handsomely repay cellaring, and represents a winemaking style that, hopefully, will never be extinguished by the new, more supple-textured, darker-colored, earlier bottled wines. Importer: Seth Allen, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700
The 1994 Barolo Cascina Francia reveals amber in its ruby/garnet color. Scents of Chinese black tea, cedar wood, smoked duck, soy, licorice, and tobacco jump from the glass of this aromatic Barolo. It is forward with sweet, round, old style flavors, dusty tannin, and wonderful glycerin and concentration. It should drink well for 12-15 years. Aug 2000, www.robertparker.com
Medium amber-edged red; modest color saturation. Perfumed, maturing aromas of dried rose, chestnut and Cuban tobacco. Good sweetness and flavor intensity on entry, but not especially fat or fleshy. The chewy, slightly drying tannins cut off the fruit. Needs a couple years to harmonize. This was shaping up as a great year, says Conterno, until two weeks of rain fell just prior to the harvest. There will be no Monfortino from this vintage. Nonetheless, extract levels were high.
About the producer
Giacomo Conterno is arguably Barolo’s most celebrated estate. While most famous for its Monfortino Riserva, the quality found in every bottling of Nebbiolo and Barbera at this address makes them a benchmark producer for both varieties.