TN: 2022 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Vigna Francia

WINE TALK
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  • 2022 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Vigna Francia - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba (1/29/2025)
    Glistens like a ruby jewel in the glass. Such an inviting nose of fresh blood plum and cherry, with a little earth and spice. The palate is full and fleshy, with a juicy quality. It has richness and depth, but is light on its feet. There are engaging florals and a finish that is long and expansive. Beautifully balanced.

Posted from CellarTracker

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Wow! Your note makes me want to run out and source some, Not cheap for a Barbera here in the States,

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I bought a six pack recently at a price that was too good to pass up. Glad I did, sounds like a departure from recent years that were a bit heavy.

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Nice lightness of touch with this one, Ian.

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Great note Jeremy! This Barbera is the exception I routinely point to when I deride Barbera as a barbeque wine. So elegant when compared to so many other offerings whilst still providing richness as you point out.

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Interesting in a hot year.

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Yes, and extraordinarily dry. Almost no rain in 2022. In its favor, though, are the higher elevations of Vigna Francia.

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Luca Pasquero-Elia of Paitin in Barbaresco said last fall that their wells ran dry in 2023 – something the family had never experienced before.

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Your review of this was spot on.

I grabbed a bottle today (not from my stash, found it locally), and was thoroughly impressed. Glad I bought this!

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What’s a price for the Francia Barbera that’s too good to pass up these days? $65? $70? :thinking:

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$60 a bottle (out of London)

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I’m halfway through of my at-release case of the 2009 Conterno Cascina Francia Barbera. Still quite youthful, yet enjoyable good at this point.

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It’s $80 at my local shops here in the Bay Area.

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Sadly, that does qualify as a good price (assuming that shipping isn’t terribly expensive).

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That price factors in the cost to ship it here too.