The 2001 Barolo Cascina Francia has entered a period of extreme stubbornness, which has been my experience the several times I have tasted the wine recently. The sweet, candied notes that were once present in the bouquet have developed into a much more classic melange of roses, tar, licorice and red berries. The 2001 boasts tremendous structure, while some of the overt raciness that was present when the wine was young has dissipated. One of the bottles I tasted, from my cellar, only began to show some expressiveness after it had been opened for two days! The 2001 Cascina Francia is neither young nor mature, rather it is in an adolescent stage where the best option is to leave the bottles alone for at least a few more years. On a side note, a recent bottle of the 1997 was breathtaking. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2031. (Antonio Galloni)

Medium red. Sappy aromas of redcurrant liqueur and dried rose. Round, fat, lush and seamless; not at all a fruit-dominated style, with intriguing notes of herbs, spices, earth and flowers complicating the plum and strawberry flavors. Doesn't quite match the 1999 for sheer thrust but the wine's sweetness is compelling.

Mature mid ruby with brickstone rim. Savoury, sweet malty nose that with aeration becomes denser and more multilayered. Taut, fine palate with only hints of dried fruit and finely balanced and with a perfect dose of acidity that melts into the finish. Wonderful lightness of weight and yet endlessly long. (WS)