The Vintages

For Piedmont, and the Barolo zone in particular, the 1990s got off to a relatively unexciting start with a series of mediocre growing years in 1991, 1992 and 1994. The 1993 vintage was only moderately good, but then came a string of wonderful harvests, beginning with 1995. Wines from the 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 growing years make up an extraordinary group of six memorable vintages, each with its own unique characteristics. Never before in the history of Barolo winemaking has such a succession of superb years been witnessed. In the past, epoch-making vintages - 1947, 1961, 1964, 1971, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990 - have been the exception, not the rule.

Only 2002, with its unpredictable weather throughout the growing year and the disastrous hailstorms that hit several parts of the Barolo zone in early September, regrettably interrupted the sequence of unforgettable vintages. However, the good years seem to be continuing with 2003, although the very hot, dry summer posed more than a few problems for the vegetative balance of the vines. If we restrict our comments to the years from 1996 on, and the wines they yielded, we may reasonably claim that there are two distinct groups of three vintages, the first including 1997, 2000 and 2003, and the second 1996, 1999 and 2001. The wines in each group present similar characteristics and one vintage, 1998, has its own unique qualities.

We might say that 1998 was a vintage of balanced, harmonious, beguilingly attractive wines that are very approachable, yet true to the Barolo type. Wine lovers who prefer traditional Barolos, with outstanding ageing potential and serious extract that requires more time to express itself and "come out", will find wines from the 1996 and 1999 vintages to their tastes. Barolos from 2001 are also developing along similar lines. The 1997 and 2000 vintages, and the prospects for 2003, we have to talk about seriously good wines, especially Nebbiolo-based products. The particularly hot growing years, and prolonged ripening of the fruit on the vine, produced wines richer in sugars and with higher alcohol content, very intense colour, and warm, intense fragrances that are delightful even when the wine is young. The well-expressed fruit lends the wines more breadth, depth, structure and sheer drinkability than usual.

We have striven to respect the very different characteristics of the various vintages, and to bring them out in our wines, offering Barolo lovers a wide range of styles to choose from. It is a rare opportunity to enjoy the wines in a number of different ways. They can happily be uncorked on release, or left to age to full maturity in the tranquillity of the purchaser's cellar.