Award-winning Barolo from cru vineyards in La Morra and Monforte: dried raspberries, violets, cinnamon and dark chocolate

This particular Barolo by Francone is definitely one of my favourites. It is made in the “classic” style, using long fermentation and ageing in large oak barrels. This way, Francone is able to preserve the precious natural flavour of the grape.

And yet this Barolo is very drinkable and not overly tannic – it won’t dry your mouth. To tame the Nebbiolo’s powerful tannings, Francone ages his wine for 30 months – which is much longer than 18 months required by the disciplinare. The resulting wine is well-balanced and just delicious to drink.

Winemaking

Vineyards: Bricco Chiesa MGA, La Morra, 260 metres above sea level; Ravera di Monforte MGA, Monforte d’Alba, 400 metres above sea level.

Grapes are harvested by hand in the first week of October, when they are perfectly ripe. After crushing, grapes undergo fermentation for 22 days in stainless steel vats, at a controlled temperature between 24-28°C. For the first 16 days, the wine is fermented on grapes skins to extract flavours and tannins. Then, the skins are removed, and the wine continues fermentation for another six days.

Following the malolactic fermentation, the wine is transferred for refinement in French oak barrels for 30 months. By using medium-sized oak barrels of 700 litre and 1200 litre, Francone is able to introduce visible hints of oak, but not overpower the natural flavour of the grape. Finally, the wine is bottles and stored in the cellar for at least six months, where it finishes its integration and development.

One very important thing is that Francone Barolo has an incredibly low level of sulphites: about 39 mg /l of SO2.

Tasting notes

In the glass, this Barolo has a medium garnet colour. It offers flavours of dried violet flowers, dried raspberry and dark fruits – think of cherry and blackberry. The flavours from oak are quite delicate, because the wine was aged in large second-use oak barrels. Expect hints of cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of dark chocolate. The wine is dry and full-bodied. It’s still rather young, so do expect a high level of tannins, but they are balanced and the wine is already quite drinkable.

Ageing potential

20 years

Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 – Silver Medal (2018 vintage) | The Wine Hunter – “Rosso” (2016 vintage) | The Wine Enthusiast – 90/100 points