2011 Barolo Cascina Francia
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Tasting notes
Conterno's 2011 Barolo Francia lifts from the glass with the most finessed, exquisite aromatics imaginable. Over the last decade, Monfortino has not been made three times; 2003, 2007 and 2009, all warm vintages for Piedmont. In each of those years, the Francia was a big, racy Barolo. But the 2011 is totally different. Readers will find a sublime, aromatically lifted Barolo that has virtually nothing in common with 2003, 2007 or 2009. Freshly cut flowers, mint, hard candy and a hint of vanillin are some of the notes that are woven together. In 2011, the Francia is a Barolo of nearly indescribable class. As a reminder, in 2011 Roberto Conterno did not bottle his flagship Barolo Riserva Monfortino. All of the juice was blended into the Francia, which, as readers will have noted, is now called Francia rather than Cascina Francia.
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Average Score
James Suckling
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Glorious aromas of roses, whole white truffles, earth and raspberry. Dusty. Subtle rosemary and lemon grass too. Full-bodied, tight and structured. Yet it opens and caresses every inch of your palate. So gorgeous now to drink. No Monfortino in this year; so absolutely amazing because it all went in here. Wow. Drink or hold.
A model of pure sensuality and grace, the 2011 Barolo Francia is utterly captivating today. An exquisite bouquet laced with crushed flowers and spices melds into a core of silky fruit in a deceptively mid-weight, regal Barolo. A host of chalky, mineral and savory notes - all signatures of Francia - underpin the fruit. The 2011 is polished and graceful to the core. In 2011, there is no Monfortino. Roberto Conterno opted to blend in that cask with his Francia casks. For about as long as I have known him, Conterno has been fervent in his belief that Nebbiolo can often overcome rain, even heavy rain, while excess heat and dryness are more challenging. Given that view, it's hardly a surprise Conterno did not make a Monfortino in 2003, 2007 or 2009. Next to the Francia Barolos in those vintages, the 2011 is quite a bit more lifted in style.
The 2011 Barolo Francia bursts from the glass with a rush of sweet red berries, flowers, mint, spices and raspberries, all backed up by firm, chalky tannins that convey a sense of real energy and tension. With time in cask the wine's perfume and underlying minerality have begun to emerge. This is a gorgeous and complete Francia. Readers should note that beginning with the 2010 vintage, this wine is labeled simply as Francia rather than Cascina Francia.
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.