Franco Mondo / Piedmont

2074

Founded in 1945, the Franco Mondo estate has seen a generational progression from winegrowing to winemaking in 1978, and from 2002 under current custodian Valerio Mondo as a producer of serious quality.  Of their 11 hectares of vineyards, around 60% is devoted to Barbera, with the balance divided between Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Corese, Moscato, Chardonnay and Favorita.

Where the entry Barbera d’Asti is made as a fruit driven wine for enjoyment, things quickly become more serious across the range between the Barbera Superiore and apogee Barbera appellation Nizza; likewise, the Monferrato Bianco and Rosso are powerful and structured wines, a world apart from the typical ‘vino di tavola’ association of the style.

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  • Franco Mondo Barbera d’Asti 2020

     $ 44.00 incl. GST

    The entry Barbera cuvée balances structure against freshness, certainly made for younger drinking, fermented and raised in concrete for six months with no oak before bottling.  Classic Barbera red fruits and silkiness, plenty of brightness and a pleasing mineral bite to finish.  A faceful of cherry pie!

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  • Franco Mondo Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2017

     $ 55.00 incl. GST

    The volume turned up here by a little longer maceration (parcels getting 10-15 days), eight months in second-fill French oak, and at least six months in bottle before release.  More fruit density here and picking up some undergrowth characters and complexities, tending to a more hedonistic expression of this grape.

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  • Franco Mondo Di Vino Monferrato Bianco 2020

     $ 56.00 incl. GST

    A blend of one-third each Cortese, Favorita and Chardonnay, late harvested, then processed to a cold maceration for aromatic extraction.  Cool fermentation and extended ageing on lees for 10 months in stainless further enhances its pronounced aromatic characters.  Has a lemon/mandarin/citrus oil thing going with some herbs to finish and doughy notes in the aromatics.  A different style but immensely appealing, blending richness and cut.

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  • Franco Mondo Di Vino Monferrato Rosso 2019

     $ 56.00 incl. GST

    70% Barbera, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The Cabernet component is left to dry for one month after harvesting.  Following maceration and alcoholic fermentation this component is then blended with the Barbera and aged around six months in third fill tonneau (900L).

    Intense on the nose with dried fruits and berry jam, this full bodied wine serves as a serious Rosso style against those at the ‘vino di tavola’ level – plenty of body and concentration here with a broad forest fruit and fruit conserve spectrum, well made to pair with blue cheese, game, and other robust dishes.  Grit and depth without the dried grape component taking over too far, a hedonistic style.

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  • Franco Mondo Nizza DOCG 2016

     $ 97.00 incl. GST

    Nizza is a relatively new appellation, designated from vintage 2014; it effectively represents to Barbera what Barolo and Barbaresco represent to Nebbiolo. The hills sit between 150 and 350 metres above sea level, with a variety of sand/marl/loam and sandstone soils.

    Rigorous fruit-sorting is employed, and while the DOCG requires a minimum of six months in oak, Franco Mondo’s Nizza sits for 24 months in French barrels; 1 year in new 300L casks and another year in new tonneau (900L).  Full and intense, this combines fruit weight and generosity with structure.  Barbera’s flowing red fruits are abound here wrapped around dried roses and spice, delivering further impressions of blueberry, coffee, menthol, cocoa and cinnamon.  An ‘as good as it gets’ expression.

     

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