2004 Barbera d'Alba Cascina Francia
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Tasting notes
The 2004 Barbera d'Alba Cascina Francia is a great spot where the flavors are beginning to show early signs of development. Smoke, dried cherries, tobacco, licorice and mint meld together in a mid-weight, gracious Barbera endowed with gorgeous overall balance. Crushed rose petals and sweet spices linger on the finish in an elegant, mid-weight, polished Barbera. The 2004 has more than enough depth to support another decade or so of highly pleasureable drinking.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Readers who find the style of the 2003 too extreme will delight in more balanced 2004 Barbera d'Alba. It is a stunning effort, showing expressive nuances and flowers and spices on the nose followed by an utterly seductive explosion of sweet fruit, tar, licorice and pomegranate sensations, with superb length and a finish that lasts forever. Graceful and poised, this supremely elegant Barbera will redefine for many the heights the varietal can achieve. It will show at its best when served in a glass suitable for nebbiolo or pinot noir.
Readers who find the style of the 2003 too extreme will delight in a more balanced 2004 Barbera d’Alba. It is a stunning effort, showing expressive nuances of flowers and spices on the nose followed by an utterly seductive explosion of sweet fruit, tar, licorice and pomegranate sensations, with superb length and a finish that lasts forever. Graceful and poised, this supremely elegant Barbera will redefine for many the heights the varietal can achieve. It will show at its best when served in a glass suitable for Nebbiolo or Pinot Noir. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2014. Importers: Doug Polaner, Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404 and The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484
Conterno's 2004 Barbera is unquestionably a highly appealing wine that captures the essence of this great vintage. It offers gorgeous sweet dark fruit and licorice flavors on a classically structured frame with great length and freshness. Showing higher acidity and more aromatic complexity than the 2003, it will be fascinating to compare this with the outstanding 2003 once it is bottled later this year.
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.