The 2015 Barbera d'Alba Francia is fabulous. Silky, supple and radiant, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 comes across as a bit shy today, and yet there is so much to like. The ripe, radiant personality of the year dominates over the more savory/mineral notes that are typical of Barberas from this site, but the wine remains light on its feet and gracious. A rush of dark red and bluish-hued fruits, lavender and blood orange makes a strong closing statement.

Boasting immediate depth and dimension, the 2015 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Francia is a commanding and confident wine. Tasted from barrel, the wine's color is dense and very dark. Youthful fruit tones of blackberry confit and black currant give the wine a solid aromatic foundation. That base creates an appropriate framework for ethereal notes of licorice, black olive, spice and campfire ash. It is very difficult to achieve this level of complexity with Barbera, but Roberto Conterno does so with flawless perfection. The mouthfeel is round and plump, but the opulence of the wine is also reined in by its lively acidity. (ML)