2001 Barolo Francia

The 2001 Barolo Cascina Francia has entered a period of extreme stubbornness, which has been my experience the several times I have tasted the wine recently. The sweet, candied notes that were once present in the bouquet have developed into a much more classic mélange of roses, tar, licorice and red berries. The 2001 boasts tremendous structure, while some of the overt raciness that was present when the wine was young has dissipated. One of the bottles I tasted, from my cellar, only began to show some expressiveness after it had been opened for two days! The 2001 Cascina Francia is neither young nor mature, rather it is in an adolescent stage where the best option is to leave the bottles alone for at least a few more years. On a side note, a recent bottle of the 1997 was breathtaking.

The 2001 Barolo Cascina Francia has entered a period of extreme stubbornness, which has been my experience the several times I have tasted the wine recently. The sweet, candied notes that were once present in the bouquet have developed into a much more classic melange of roses, tar, licorice and red berries. The 2001 boasts tremendous structure, while some of the overt raciness that was present when the wine was young has dissipated. One of the bottles I tasted, from my cellar, only began to show some expressiveness after it had been opened for two days! The 2001 Cascina Francia is neither young nor mature, rather it is in an adolescent stage where the best option is to leave the bottles alone for at least a few more years. On a side note, a recent bottle of the 1997 was breathtaking. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2031. Readers fortunate enough to own Conterno’s 2001s would do well to forget about the wines for a good 5-10 years. These are some of the most backward, Barolis of the vintage. Importers: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404, The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484

Roberto Conterno continues this strong series with a Cascina Francia that is breathtaking for its elegance, poise and sheer beauty. Even better from bottle than it was from cask, the 2001 Barolo Cascina Francia displays a stunning nose of roses, spices and crushed raspberries with delicate layers of sweet dark red fruit, licorice and menthol flavors on a medium-bodied frame, closing with great freshness and fine, noble tannins. Several recent bottles suggest that this Barolo has put on some additional weight over the last few months. Despite its initially restrained impression there is plenty of structure and body underneath. It will be a fascinating wine to follow over the next several decades. One of the best Cascina Francias I have ever tasted, and among the very finest wines of this great vintage, it sets a new benchmark for the level of sublimeness and finesse that nebbiolo can achieve. Highly recommended.