Because Monfortino was not produced this vintage, the 2009 Barolo Cascina Francia benefits from the extra fruit that would have otherwise gone toward the world's most celebrated Barolo Riserva. I tasted the 2009 Barolo Cascina Francia in barrel two years ago and am delighted by its steady evolution. This is a wine of sophisticated intensity and persuasion. The bouquet peels back to reveal dark fruit, licorice, tar and dried rose. The vintage was warm, resulting in extra plumpness and roundness in terms of mouthfeel. The style is slightly more immediate, but this is a great aging wine nonetheless. - Monica Larner

This has a wonderful long and beautiful style with super fine and persistent tannins. It is full yet so elegant. The perfumes are of roses and dark fruits. It's savory on the palate. Roberto Conterno made no Monfortino this vintage so declassified the entire production into this wine as he did in 2007. Drink or hold.

Aromas of warm mint tea and cherry lead to balsamic and underbrush flavors in this dense, linear red. The tannins are brusque, yet there's sweetness too. Just needs time. There was no Monfortino Riserva made in 2009, so those grapes went into this blend. Best from 2016 through 2030. 2,083 cases made. –BS