Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia 2021 (3L)

Name: Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia 2021 (3L)
Brand: Elevage [ELE]
SKU: SF-1-ELE--111125-3L29
Price: 1499.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$1,499⁹⁹

Legend meets muscle in Conterno's Barolo Francia, a solemn expression from Serralunga d'Alba's most important vineyard site. The 2021 arrives in a striking 3-liter format. This jeweled ruby shows pure red berries, cherry liqueur, sweet herbs, and rocky earth on the nose, while bright acids and fine beams of tannin build an unshakeable framework. Francia is unmistakable in its strength and structure, demanding patience and revealing its riches over decades.

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Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

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Antonio Galloni

99 points

"The 2021 Barolo Francia is a vertical, explosive Barolo endowed with tons of energy. Bright acids and fine beams of tannin provide the framework for this striking young Barolo. All the elements are so well balanced. Time in the glass brings out an interplay of mineral-drenched energy, persistence and textural breadth. There's a lot of structure, and yet the tannins feel fine-grained and finessed. I especially admire its translucent energy. Magnificent." —Antonio Galloni

Decanter

98 points

"As with 2020, Roberto Conterno made all three single-MGA wines in 2021: Cerretta, Arione and Francia. Bottled in May of 2024, the latter is subtlety demonstrative on the nose, albeit with some coaxing. Traces of pressed violet, pomegranate, iron and sage blossom are all detectable. The palate is appropriately taut and strict, though not in complete rigidity. Dark, pristine fruit is densely packed, intricately woven with the refined yet steely tannins which bend back around to the front of the palate, hemming it all in. Savoury, mineral and spicy on the finish. The estate will also release a 2021 Monfortino Riserva – though it is difficult to imagine how it will top this Francia."

More about Giacomo Conterno

It must be nice to be universally regarded as the greatest wine producer in all of Italy! In the old days, Conterno did what many Barolo producers did back then, and they purchased grapes. But since the 1970s they have shifted gears and have focused instead on acquiring a collection of amazing vineyards in Serralunga and producing wines exclusively from their own grapes. In 1974, Giovanni Conterno acquired Cascina Francia. For a while, it looked like they would just stick with that monopole vineyard. But his son Robert has proven to be ambitious: he acquired land in Cerretta in 2008 and then a sizable chunk of Arione in 2015. He produces single vineyard Barolos from all three sites, plus the great Monfortino, which going forward will blend Francia with neighboring Arione.

Given that Monfortino on release now costs more than $1000 per bottle, it’s easy to dismiss Conterno as an overrated producer of trophies for rich people. Perhaps those of us who lack the means should content ourselves with such a sentiment, but truth be told it is off the mark. Monfortino is the greatest wine of Italy. There are plenty of less worthy French wines that cost far more. This may be rich people’s wine, but it’s really good rich people’s wine.