No Monfortino, Just Cascina Francia
2009 Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia
Terroir and Tradition meet Striking Vintage
"The 2009 Barolo Cascina Francia is a stunning wine."
-Antonio Galloni
Conterno's epic Barolos are wines that transcend their category.
Yes, they are among the greatest Barolos on the planet, but they are also among the greatest red wines on the planet.
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In many ways, in 2009 they transcend the vintage. 2009 was a warmer vintage and wines can often show a certain atypical softness. Conterno's '09 Cascina Francia, in contrast, is dead serious in '09.
Of course, it helps that no Monfortino was made in '09 and all the superlative fruit that would have gone into that great wine went into Cascina Francia.
Conterno's Cascina Francia is a wine that goes into my cellar every year, without question. This is the deal in Conterno's formidable stable. It's a Barolo that delivers incredible material at a more earthly price. And without any Monfortino produced in 09, the deal is even sweeter.
2009 was one of those vintages that rewarded the most skillful winemakers. Not that there was any question about Conterno on this front, but he really nailed '09. Galloni says it best when he plainly states: "The results are truly spectacular."
What makes Conterno's Cascina Francia stand out among the '09s is how the wine maintains an impressive structure and typical Nebbiolo profile. There's a deep complexity, grip and overall harmony to the wine.
For me, I'm really happy to come across a wine like Conterno's '09 Cascina Francia. It firmly establishes Conterno's winemaking skill and offers a mid-term drinking Conterno, which (for Conterno) makes it a 15-20 year wine. Above all, knowing how successful the wine is and knowing that no Monfortino was made makes what is always a really good value feel like an even better one.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Antonio Galloni: "The 2009 Barolo Cascina Francia is a stunning wine. Roberto did not make Monfortino in 2009, therefore that wine was declassified and added here. The results are truly spectacular. The wine shows the soft fullness that is characteristic of the vintage, backed by tight tannins that pull the wine together. Dark fruit, licorice, chopped herb, white truffle, tar and pressed rose form a united aromatic front."