The Wine
Giacomo Conterno Barolo "Cascina Francia" 1996
Profile:
In 1974, the Conterno family purchased the 14 hectare vineyard of Cascina Francia, one of the finest vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba, where they would begin to produce the vintage, Barolo. This powerfully structured wine is the result of the Conterno style of Barolo, which has always been ultra-traditional, with a long maceration followed by extended aging in large, oak casks. Barolos are aged for four years before bottling, characterizing this wine as slow to mature but worth the wait.
This great, traditional wine hosts a blend of orange peel, iron, rose petal, melted road tar, licorice and plum notes that gives the 1996 its aromatic nuance. The 1996 is enjoyed best when given several hours of air, and when tasted a day later yields a softened, more delicate side of the wine’s personality. When stored-well, bottles will drink well for 20-30 years, if not more.
Tasting Notes: This wine is a perfect expression of balance and power - with bright red fruits, earth, tar, rose and brilliant streak of mouth watering acidity. It has that special balance between the aromatics and flavors that is timeless.
Wine Facts
- producer: Giacomo Conterno
- varietal: Nebbiolo
- country: Italy
- vintage: 1996
- region: Piedmont
- size: 750ml
The Collector
David SugarmanPrivate Locker client since 2017.“David Sugarman is a wine importer (a partner in Vinotas Selections). He can be spotted running through Manhattan riding his BMW motorcycle running between tasting appointments to NY’s premier Wine Retailers and wine focused restaurants.”
This wine is a perfect expression of balance and power - with bright red fruits, earth, tar, rose and brilliant streak of mouth watering acidity.
The Commentary
John Gilman
“This remains a very young and very, very promising wine, as it offers up a deep and very pure nose of red and black cherries, a touch of menthol, fennel, fresh herb tones, a glorious base of soil tones, celery seed, incipient notes of the sous bois to come and a lovely topnote of rose petals. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and powerfully built, with a rock solid core of sweet fruit, iron-like grip from the combination of tangy acids and firm, ripe tannins, and excellent length and grip on the palate-staining finish that closes with notes of road tar and cherries.”
