2010 Barolo Tasting; 1/14/2024-1/15/2024: The ‘10 Francia is a very promising young wine. The only issue this bottle had was being tasted next to the ‘10 Monfortino, which was more expressive and frankly better in every way, to a degree that’s kind of surprising given they came from the same vineyard.
The nose was a bit tight, but showed a beautiful and classic expression of Nebbiolo, with dark red cherry fruit, menthol, red floral tones, tar, and sage and other herbs.
On the palate, the wine is medium plus in body with medium to high acidity, showing quite a lot of fine grained tannin. It showed a super classic expression of pure red cherry fruit, mint, red florals, and tar, showing a similar core expression as the Monfortino, but lacking the savory complexity of that wine.
Of all the ’10s we tasted, I would say the Francia needs more time the most. Perhaps contrary to what you’d expect, the Monfortino is much more expressive and open right now than the Francia, which has more classic austerity.
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What a magnificent wine. Dark red fruits, tremendous depth and power, but a freshness and lift that made this graceful despite its brawn. This wine is only beginning to open for business, and has many, many years of life in front of it. I greatly preferred this to a Gaja Costa Russi opened alongside it.
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Mostly primary dark red fruit with just hints of tobacco. Approachable now as the structure is buried beneath the fruit. Obviously young but great even now with a clear path to improve with age. 95+
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The nose was dark, but also showed great freshness. I found ripe dark red cherries, tar, roses, tobacco, lavender and sage. On the palate, it is concentrated and richly textured but with surprisingly little perception of tannin - the texture is smooth from beginning to end, with perfect balance of acid, sweet fruit, and tannin. I found the flavor profile to be largely primary, with waves of sweet red cherry fruit, joined by tobacco, fresh herbs, and spices, with fine grained tannins finally becoming noticeable at the very back end of the palate, completed by a long finish.
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Abundant but reasonably soft tannins. Deep red and black fruits bounded with dark damp soil tones, coal dust, and hints of licorice. Still requires at least seven years to mellow and become more approachable. 93+
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1/14/2024 - Robmcl920 Likes this wine: 95 Points
2010 Barolo Tasting; 1/14/2024-1/15/2024: The ‘10 Francia is a very promising young wine. The only issue this bottle had was being tasted next to the ‘10 Monfortino, which was more expressive and frankly better in every way, to a degree that’s kind of surprising given they came from the same vineyard.
The nose was a bit tight, but showed a beautiful and classic expression of Nebbiolo, with dark red cherry fruit, menthol, red floral tones, tar, and sage and other herbs.
On the palate, the wine is medium plus in body with medium to high acidity, showing quite a lot of fine grained tannin. It showed a super classic expression of pure red cherry fruit, mint, red florals, and tar, showing a similar core expression as the Monfortino, but lacking the savory complexity of that wine.
Of all the ’10s we tasted, I would say the Francia needs more time the most. Perhaps contrary to what you’d expect, the Monfortino is much more expressive and open right now than the Francia, which has more classic austerity.
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10/12/2023 - JWS84 Likes this wine:
What a magnificent wine. Dark red fruits, tremendous depth and power, but a freshness and lift that made this graceful despite its brawn. This wine is only beginning to open for business, and has many, many years of life in front of it. I greatly preferred this to a Gaja Costa Russi opened alongside it.
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6/6/2021 - bill00 wrote: 95 Points
Mostly primary dark red fruit with just hints of tobacco. Approachable now as the structure is buried beneath the fruit. Obviously young but great even now with a clear path to improve with age. 95+
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8/3/2020 - Robmcl920 Likes this wine: 96 Points
The nose was dark, but also showed great freshness. I found ripe dark red cherries, tar, roses, tobacco, lavender and sage. On the palate, it is concentrated and richly textured but with surprisingly little perception of tannin - the texture is smooth from beginning to end, with perfect balance of acid, sweet fruit, and tannin. I found the flavor profile to be largely primary, with waves of sweet red cherry fruit, joined by tobacco, fresh herbs, and spices, with fine grained tannins finally becoming noticeable at the very back end of the palate, completed by a long finish.
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5/24/2017 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 93 Points
Abundant but reasonably soft tannins. Deep red and black fruits bounded with dark damp soil tones, coal dust, and hints of licorice. Still requires at least seven years to mellow and become more approachable. 93+
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