Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo 2017 DBMG

Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo 2017 in double magnum (3 L) is a profound expression of Serralunga d’Alba and one of the benchmark Baroli of this warm, debated vintage. In Roberto Conterno’s hands, 2017 sheds its controversy and becomes a masterclass in purity, finesse, and intensity, amplified by the large-format bottling. This is Nebbiolo at its most sculpted and articulate: a wine that captures the heat of the season without losing the freshness, depth, and detail that define great Barolo.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2017 Francia Barolo is deep garnet with ruby highlights at the rim, showing both concentration and youthful vibrancy. The nose is strikingly pure and lifted, with black and dark purple fruits—black cherry, blackberry, and crème de cassis—layered over notes of violet, rose petal, rusted iron, grilled rosemary, and warm terracotta or baked clay. Subtle nuances of licorice, tobacco leaf, and crushed stone add complexity with air. On the palate, this Barolo is powerful yet extraordinarily refined, with the smoothed, velvety tannin profile that marks the best wines of the vintage. The warm year translates into generous, ripe fruit layered over a firm, vertical structure: black fruits, plum skin, and dark cherry are framed by savory tones of spice, earth, and iron. The acidity is precise and energetic, keeping the wine vibrant and elongated through a long, mineral-driven finish. In double magnum, evolution will be particularly slow and graceful; while already compelling with a good decant, it has the structure to age beautifully for 20–30 years or more, gaining truffle, leather, and dried floral complexity over time.

Production
Francia is a historic, monopole cru in Serralunga d’Alba, a commune renowned for its powerful, long-lived Barolo. The vineyard sits on classic calcareous marl with veins of clay and iron-rich soils, imparting both structure and a distinctive mineral, almost ferrous edge to the wine. Roberto Conterno farms the site with meticulous care and very low yields, harvesting Nebbiolo by hand at optimal ripeness—crucial in the warm 2017 season to retain freshness and balance. In the cellar, the approach is resolutely traditional: long macerations on the skins and extended aging in large, neutral Slavonian oak botti, allowing the character of Francia, the vintage, and the Nebbiolo grape to speak clearly without overt oak influence. Bottling in double magnum further enhances longevity and the slow, even development of the wine.

Food & Serving
This 2017 Francia Barolo deserves equally noble food pairings: think braised veal shank (ossobuco), slow-cooked lamb shoulder, rich ragù over tajarin, or game birds with truffle and wild mushrooms. Mature hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or aged Piedmontese cheeses are also excellent companions. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Barolo stems to let the aromatics fully unfurl. Given its youth and concentration—especially in 3 L format—decant for 2–3 hours before serving to soften the tannins and reveal the layered complexity of the nose and palate.

Producer
Giacomo Conterno is one of Piedmont’s most revered and influential producers, a name synonymous with classical Barolo. Founded in the early 20th century and brought to greatness under Giovanni and later his son Roberto, the estate has helped define what traditionally made, age-worthy Barolo should be. The acquisition of the Francia vineyard (formerly Cascina Francia) in Serralunga d’Alba was a turning point, giving Conterno full control over one of the region’s most exceptional sites. Today, the wines—crafted with long macerations, aging in large botti, and an unwavering commitment to purity—are considered among the finest in the Langhe, regularly earning top critical acclaim and serving as reference points for collectors and serious Nebbiolo lovers worldwide.

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