2021 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG Piedmont, Italy

In years of outstanding quality, a selection is made while the Nebbiolo grapes are still on the vines, and the very best are reserved to become Monfortino. The two Barolos are fermented identically, with the exception that no temperature control is employed for Monfortino no matter how high the temperatures may go. The wines are then racked into their respective botti for levage. The Barolo “Cascina Francia” is bottled after approximately four years in wood, and the Monfortino after approximately seven years. Beginning with the 2010 Barolo and 2012 Barbera, the wines will labeled as simply “Francia,” as opposed to “Cascina Francia.” The change was made to comply to the new standardization of Barolo cru’ names across the region – there was no change to the source nor the winemaking or aging of the wine. Conterno did a more severe than usual green harvest in the 2010. That combined with there being a future release of Monfortino 2010 resulted in the winery’s making only 1/3 the amount of Cascina Francia.