94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2023 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Francia is fine, elegant and nuanced. Silky lines wrap around a core of red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint, white pepper and incense. Understated and classy, the 2023 has a lot to offer. This is a relatively restrained vintage for the Francia Barbera. I would give it a bit of time in the cellar to come together. Finessed, impossibly silky tannins and clean mineral undertones support the resonant finish. Drink: 2026-2034. (Jan 2025)"
94 points James Suckling: "A lush wine that’s supple and fruity. Plums, leafy lightness and a floral touch on the nose. A smooth palate with a full body, crisp and integrated acidity and a long, fruity finish. Drink or hold. (1/23/25)"
93 points Ian D'Agata Wine Review: "Bright purple-ruby. Very intense, richly fruity and gently spicy red fruit on the inviting nose. Then more red fruit in the mouth, but with an underlying black fruit presence and noteworthy tannic spine. Unlike the fine and elegant 2022 Barbera Francia, a hot year in which the Barbera grape thrived, this 2023 is more like the 2020 version, more nervous and livelier, but less easy-drinking in style than that wine. Spent twenty months in old oak. Unfortunately, esca disease, also known as grapevine apoplexy (caused by a series of fungi such as Phaemoniella Chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilus and Fomitiporia mediterranea) has been really decimating Piedmont’s Barbera vineyards, and Giacomo Conterno’s vines have not been immune. Hence, the winery only made 12,000 bottles instead of the usual 22-23,000 bottles of this wine. It has gotten to the point where Conterno is actually wondering if it’s even worth replanting more Barbera vines. Drinking window: 2027-2032. (5/9/25)"
94 points James Suckling: "A lush wine that’s supple and fruity. Plums, leafy lightness and a floral touch on the nose. A smooth palate with a full body, crisp and integrated acidity and a long, fruity finish. Drink or hold. (1/23/25)"
93 points Ian D'Agata Wine Review: "Bright purple-ruby. Very intense, richly fruity and gently spicy red fruit on the inviting nose. Then more red fruit in the mouth, but with an underlying black fruit presence and noteworthy tannic spine. Unlike the fine and elegant 2022 Barbera Francia, a hot year in which the Barbera grape thrived, this 2023 is more like the 2020 version, more nervous and livelier, but less easy-drinking in style than that wine. Spent twenty months in old oak. Unfortunately, esca disease, also known as grapevine apoplexy (caused by a series of fungi such as Phaemoniella Chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilus and Fomitiporia mediterranea) has been really decimating Piedmont’s Barbera vineyards, and Giacomo Conterno’s vines have not been immune. Hence, the winery only made 12,000 bottles instead of the usual 22-23,000 bottles of this wine. It has gotten to the point where Conterno is actually wondering if it’s even worth replanting more Barbera vines. Drinking window: 2027-2032. (5/9/25)"
| Product SKU | 353434 |
| Producer | Conterno/Giacomo |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| SubRegion | Barbera d'Alba DOC |
| Varietal | Barbera |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Ships To |
