95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
Scheduled to hit the market in October, the 2022 Barbera D’Alba is a bright ruby color and keeps remarkably fresh on the nose, with notes of wild black raspberries and fresh flowers. Certainly at the top level of where Barbera generally performs, its freshness and buoyancy are followed by silky tannins and a seamless structure on the palate, with a bit of warmth and lovely notes of tea leaf on its fresh finish. This is a stunning and truly delicious Barbera. Open and drinking well now, it’s going to have a wide drinking window. Drink 2024-2040…”
Giacomo Conterno is one of the most historic, iconic estates in all of Italy with one of the world’s greatest wines, the Barolo Monfortino. It is made by a true perfectionist – Roberto Conterno, a man known for his unmatched attention to detail in all aspects of the winemaking process as well as his relentless work ethic. If the wine has ‘Conterno’ on the label, you can count on it to be absolutely phenomenal and ageworthy.
Let me put this in perspective for you. Roberto’s top Barolo, the mythical Monfortino, commands a staggering $1,800 per bottle. His wines are considered the best of the best in Piedmont, and you better believe that goes for his Vigna Francia Barbera d’Alba.
Giacomo Conterno’s “Francia” is a remarkable expression of Barbera from the esteemed Francia vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, one of Piedmont’s most iconic sites. It may very well be the best bottling of Barbera in the world. While the vineyard is more widely recognized for its legendary Barolo wines, the ‘Francia’ is a highly regarded bottling that showcases the potential of Barbera when grown in such a prestigious terroir.