Conterno's 2011 Barolo Francia represents an absolute high point of the vintage.

Roberto Conterno is one of the world's great winemakers. And what he turned out in 2011 drives this point home.

Generally speaking, the 2011 was a looser, brighter and more open vintage in Piedmont. Conterno's Francia managed to achieve a shocking level of rigor and depth.

I've had a chance to taste the wine on a few occasions and each time, the wine is even better. Gorgeous aromatics and an elegant mineral core give it an unbelievable freshness, but there's no doubt that this is a dead serious wine.

Conterno's Francia is the pinnacle of the 2011 lineup. Roberto's skillful winemaking played a big part, but the fact that no Monfortino was bottled in 2011 is also really important. The best grapes (that would have otherwise gone into Conterno's flagship bottling) went into the Francia instead.

When it comes to traditional Barolo, Roberto Conterno’s wines are legendary. The 2011 Barolo Francia is yet another testament to his mastery.

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits

2011 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia

Antonio Galloni: "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."