Barolo Cascina Francia 2004 Giacomo Conterno

Barolo Cascina Francia by Giacomo Conterno: The Essence of Serralunga d’Alba’s Terroir

The Barolo Cascina Francia perfectly embodies the winemaking philosophy of Giacomo Conterno, one of the most prestigious Barolo producers. Made exclusively from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, this wine is a pure and authentic expression of its terroir, offering remarkable elegance and longevity.

History and Philosophy

The Giacomo Conterno winery is a benchmark in the world of Barolo. Founded in the early 20th century, it has always maintained a traditional and rigorous approach, aimed at enhancing the characteristics of Nebbiolo without compromise.

The Cascina Francia vineyard, acquired by the Conterno family in 1974, is one of the most renowned crus of Serralunga d’Alba, known for its calcareous-clay soils and ideal sun exposure. Conterno’s philosophy follows spontaneous fermentations, long macerations, and extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks to preserve the wine’s purity and identity.

Grape Variety

Barolo Cascina Francia is made from 100% Nebbiolo, the iconic grape of the Langhe region, renowned for its ability to evolve aromatically and structurally over time.

Vinification and Aging

The production follows a traditional and artisanal method, with meticulous attention to every phase:

• Hand Harvesting: Grapes are carefully handpicked and rigorously selected.

• Spontaneous Fermentation: Fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeasts, without temperature control, ensuring the fullest expression of the terroir.

• Long Maceration: The wine remains in contact with the skins for approximately 3-4 weeks, ensuring maximum extraction of aromas and structure.

• Aging in Large Oak Casks: The wine matures for 4-5 years in large Slavonian oak barrels, refining its complexity and elegance.

Tasting Notes

Barolo Cascina Francia is a majestic and expressive wine, which develops magnificently over time.

• Color: Deep garnet red with evolving orange hues.

• Aroma: Complex and elegant, with notes of ripe cherry, dried rose, licorice, sweet spices, and delicate mineral hints.

• Taste: Structured and powerful, with velvety tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering hints of red fruits, tobacco, and forest floor.

Food Pairings

The impressive structure of Barolo Cascina Francia makes it a perfect match for rich and complex dishes:

• Braised and slow-cooked meats

• Game and roasted meats

• Aged cheeses like Castelmagno and Parmigiano Reggiano

• Traditional Piedmontese dishes, such as bollito misto or white truffle-based recipes.

Serving Temperature

To fully appreciate its complexity, Barolo Cascina Francia should be served at 18°C (64°F), preferably after a long decanting period.

Alcohol Content

This wine has an alcohol content of approximately 14.5%, perfectly balanced by its acidity and structure.

Conclusion

The Barolo Cascina Francia by Giacomo Conterno is one of the finest expressions of Nebbiolo from Serralunga d’Alba. With its limited production, remarkable aging potential, and unmistakable style, it is a wine destined to leave a mark in the cellars of great wine enthusiasts.

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The Giacomo Conterno Winery is one of the most prestigious and legendary names on the Italian wine scene, a symbol of excellence in the heart of the Langhe, famous above all for its production of Barolo and Barbera. Founded in the early 1900s, the winery has built its reputation on a rigorous winemaking philosophy that respects tradition and is geared toward creating wines of extraordinary longevity and complexity.

The Origins and Legacy of Giacomo Conterno
The winery’s history began in 1908, when Giovanni Conterno founded the company in Monforte d’Alba, a small village in the heart of the Barolo area. Initially, the winery produced wines for local consumption, but it was Giacomo Conterno, Giovanni’s son, who made the breakthrough that made the family name internationally famous.

In the 1920s, Giacomo had a revolutionary intuition: to produce a Barolo Riserva intended for extended aging, at a time when Barolo was generally consumed young. Thus was born, in 1924, the legendary Barolo Monfortino, one of the first Barolos to be bottled individually as a “Riserva.”

Over the decades, the baton was passed to Giovanni Conterno, Giacomo’s son, who further consolidated the winery’s reputation through scrupulous attention to quality, making wine only in the best vintages and maintaining a traditional approach with long aging in large Slavonian oak barrels.

Today, the legacy of this extraordinary family is carried on by Roberto Conterno, who leads the winery with the same spirit of integrity and dedication, maintaining the philosophy of producing wines that express the full potential of the terroir and are able to defy time.

The Philosophy of Production
The philosophy of the Giacomo Conterno Winery is based on purity, tradition and absolute precision. The wines are produced with extreme craftsmanship, following traditional methods that include:

Selective manual harvesting, to pick only the best grapes.

Spontaneous fermentations, without the use of selected yeasts, to preserve the authenticity of the fruit.

Long macerations, which can last up to 4-5 weeks, to extract complexity and structure.

Prolonged aging in large Slavonian oak barrels, a process that can last up to 7-8 years for Monfortino, ensuring extraordinary longevity.

Iconic Vineyards
The extraordinary quality of Giacomo Conterno wines is linked to vineyards of exceptional value:

Vigna Francia: Purchased in 1974, located in Serralunga d’Alba, it is the heart of the winery’s production and provides the grapes for Barolo Francia and the celebrated Monfortino Riserva.

Arione: Purchased in 2015, a prestigious cru adjacent to the Vigna Francia, which enriches the range with additional nuances of complexity.

The Wines of Giacomo Conterno
The winery’s wines are recognized as authentic works of winemaking art, representing the ultimate in Langhe elegance and power:

Barolo Monfortino Riserva: The winery’s signature wine, produced only in exceptional vintages. It is a Barolo of rare complexity and longevity, maturing for about 7-8 years in barrel before release.

Barolo Francia: A classic and elegant expression of Serralunga d’Alba, with aromatic depth and powerful structure.

Barbera d’Alba Vigna Francia: A refined and long-lived Barbera, characterized by vibrant freshness and high aromatic concentration.

Barolo Arione: The latest addition to the range, it expresses the distinctive character of this prestigious cru with vigorous tannins and layered complexity.

A Heritage of Excellence
Cantina Giacomo Conterno is not just a winery, but a living symbol of Barolo history and Piedmontese tradition. Each bottle tells a chapter of absolute dedication and respect for terroir.

Conterno wines are sought after by collectors around the world for their extraordinary ability to age and evolve, transforming each taste into a timeless sensory experience