Tasting Notes: The Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia from the 2018 includes fruit that would have gone into the estates top wine, Monfortino, has Roberto decided to make that wine. He did not, so this represents a wine that could have incredible aging potential.
The 2018 Barolo Francia is powerful, deep and also a touch austere. It shows the edginess of all the 2018s, but also has a feeling of textural creaminess that adds tons of character. Spice, menthol, leather and a whole range of balsamic overtones build into the deep, imposing finish. Roberto Conterno decided to forego his Barolo Monfortino in 2018, opting instead to blend all the casks into his Francia bottling. When that happens, Francia often surprises down the road. That could very well turn out to be the case here.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: September 2022
