Giacomo Conterno, Barolo Cascina Francia, 2006

A powerhouse vintage from one of Barolo's most revered traditional estates. Giacomo Conterno's Cascina Francia is a single Serralunga vineyard of clay-limestone, fermented on native yeasts with long maceration and aged for years in large Slavonian casks. The 2006 is a structured, powerful, deeply tannic vintage, and Cascina Francia is the most intensely tannic of Conterno's sites, so this remains a serious, slow-resolving wine. After nearly two decades it's entering its prime but still has years ahead. Decant generously and reward it with rich food.