The harvest began early by the end of September. Summer temperatures peaked at around 40°C but the heat did not cause any stress, thanks to the abundant water reserves accumulated in earlier first months. September had a positive trend with ideal weather conditions to guarantee acid and sugar balance and chromatic intensity in the Nebbiolo grapes.

The 2015 vintage is praised for producing sumptuous wines gifted with good colour intensity and great aroma and flavour complexity. Tannins of great quality will guarantee structured, elegant, and long-lived wines.

The 2017 vintage began with a mild winter and a rather warm spring. Some areas were affected by early hailstorm, followed by frost and subsequent rains. Summer was hot and dry, leading to an early harvest. The dry and particularly hot weather induced some stress, which reduced the quantitative potential of the vineyards with below average yields.

The 2017 Barbarescos are particularly approachable, with intense fruity and floral aromas supplemented with spice; they’re harmonious and elegantly textured. The 2017 vintage produced wines showing great aging prospects, confirming the great adaptability of Nebbiolo and the Barbaresco hills’ natural endowments.

2018 started with a long winter that extended into March with below average temperatures. Budding, albeit a little late, was uniform. Spring went on with frequent rainfall and low temperatures. Between the end of May and the beginning of June there was a period characterized by abundant rains, which warranted particular attention in the vineyard. Summer unfolded gradually and from mid-July the temperatures rose significantly, which, combined with a long period of stable good weather, favoured ripening. The heat continued throughout September and the absence of rain ensured excellent health.

The 2018 wines are harmonious, extremely drinkable, and have good structure and colour. The high quality and concentration of tannins and phenolic compounds in the wines give them an excellent predisposition to ageing.

The 2019 vintage began with a long winter season characterised by little snow and cold temperatures alternating with milder weather. Higher rainfalls in spring provided the water reserves needed to face the hot summer. Summer started with above average temperatures, which put producers to the test in their interpretation of this new climatic landscape. The heat, which then became milder, lasted until the end of September. Nebbiolo was harvested in the second half of October.

2019 Barbarescos show classic aroma and flavour characters, with good sugar accumulation and an excellent polyphenolic frame needed to produce structured wines with excellent colour and a great aging potential.

The 2020 vintage began with a straightforward winter season; temperatures were mild, and rain and snow falls were few and far between. The very beginning of spring was relatively dry and sunny, ensuring steady plant growth starting from late February, and for the later-ripening varieties, towards the end of March. The months of March and April were marked by good weather and mild temperatures, with little rainfall – suggesting an early harvest. This was disproven in May, when rainfalls became considerable, and the region experienced a fluctuating climate throughout late June. Water accumulation, combined with mild temperatures during summer, safeguarded the vines against stress.

Moderate overnight temperatures led to a rapid accumulation of polyphenols, which were already at excellent levels by mid-September. Ripening was steady and slow, stretching from the end of September to early October. Acidity was also retained, thanks to a great water supply in the start of summer, which enabled the vines to achieve optimum physiological ripeness. The 2020 vintage can be described as a very good one, especially for the medium-long-aging wines standing out for their elegance.

With Barbaresco making its way to market a year ahead of Barolo, and a vintage as distinguished as 2021, lucky collectors with a head start are in for a treat. The Luigi Giordano new release is awash with their beautiful rendition from envied Barbaresco crus, Asili, Montestefano, and Cavanna.  

The Barbaresco 2021 vintage was one of the few recent vintages to start the growing season with abundant water supplies. Despite late budbreak followed by frost damage, which was limited to few vineyards, a cool early summer and steadily rising temperatures allowed for slow, even ripening conditions. Overall, fruit quality was dimed exceptional. The immaculate 2021 vintage shows complexity, persistence, and balance. The wines are gifted with many desirable qualities from great vintages, specifically a fruit forwardness underscored by structure.  

Perhaps one of the finest vintages to produce Langhe Nebbiolo, according to Matteo, 2021 is a truly great one. His new wines are characterised by longer maceration, an ultra-ethereal quality, and sensational complexity. Take our word for it – Barbaresco has never been greater.  

Total yields were down in 2022 in Piedmont due to dry conditions, but the cold winter and cooler spring allowed snowmelt to replenish the local water table before the warm summer arrived.

Harvest came early and the wines maintained good acidity despite the heat. Early on, the 2022 Nebbiolos showed impressive concentration and promise.