I have not seen a thread discussing the 2021 Barolo vintage, so here goes. I understand that the critics have been describing it as a classic vintage comparable to 2001, 2010, and 2016 . Arriving in the Langhe yesterday, I had my first introduction with Enzo Boglietti’s Arione. I was very impressed. Ripe fruit, ripe and refined tannins, but very prominent (but not drying). If this is a genuine indication then the hype is true, this is a classic Barolo vintage in the sense that you can drink it 40 years from now and it will probably be even better. But you can drink it now if you are not tannin averse.
Regarding Enzo Boglietti, this is a producer that I have avoided thanks to Pat Burton’s excellent thread on traditional vs. modern Barolo. Boglietti is classified as a modernist on that thread and that was true for a time. But after drinking the 2020 and 2021 Arione, the approach to winemaking has changed, and that has been confirmed with two prominent enoteca owners in the Langhe. I enjoyed both vintages of his Arione, the 2020 being much more approachable now, but the 2021 is a vintage I would purchase and cellar in bulk.
I think 2021 will be legendary and stands out for its consistency from piedmont to bolgheri. The 2021s coming out of tuscany are incredible. Can’t wait for the brunello releases to start coming out. Will be buying across italy this vintage.
The '21 Langhe Nebbiolos I’ve had suggest it was a terrific vintage, though there were challenges.
Here’s the take on JancisRobinson.com from Walter Speller, who I think may be the best writer about the region. It looks like it’s a year or two old, though.
2021
A spring frost cut yields. Hail in June and July caused a further reduction in crop size with some producer’s down 40% of their expected yield. A hot dry summer concentrated grapes. Outlook for the vintage is very good - though the wines may have slightly higher alcohol than normal. As Barolo will not be released until 2025, it remains to be seen what the aging potential of top wines will be. You can read Walter’s report on the 2021 growing season in Barolo here.
What I’ve tasted of 2021 so far has been incredible, the wines have been surprisingly accessible already but clearly have the pieces in place to go the distance. I agree with the comparisons to 2016 at this stage, even if 2021 was drier and warmer. The 2021 Cavallotto Bricco Boschis was a particular stand out for me, the balance was incredible and it had a lot more to offer than I expect for Cavallotto Barolo in its youth.
Alessandro Masnaghetti had this to say (in January):
“ Dear Friends,
I won’t be the first and I won’t even be the last to tell you about the 2021 vintage of Barolo, but I confess that, since I stopped being a serial taster, the anxiety of coming first is a distant memory now.
Many things I have already tasted and many others I will (re)taste in the coming months, in no hurry. That said, my impression about the 2021 vintage is that of an outstanding vintage, perhaps among the best of the new millennium. Whether and when it can achieve excellence is, however, too early to tell.
My rating of 4 generous stars found in the Vintage Report therefore remains unchanged for the time being, even at the risk of surprising some readers who will be stunned to see it almost paired with the 2020.
Two different worlds, almost polar opposites. One certainly much longer-lived (2021), the other more ready-to-drink but truly enjoyable (2020). So enjoyable that as soon as I find a bottle I can’t stop myself from trying it.
Here, it is an open question whether the same will be the case in 2021.”
Not a ton of 21 Barolo available yet in the US market, outside of DOCG Barolo bottlings. Plan on definitely going heavy on this vintage. 21 Barbaresco is also outstanding. I know you can’t always draw a direct line between the two regions, however it sounds like both Barolo and Barbaresco were equally successful in this vintage.
I am also here now. Heading home middle of next week when I will be able to fully digest all the tastings. There is no doubt that 21 is a very good vintage. Some wines have tannins that seem excessive and almost anachronistic, though endowed with the fruit of a fully ripe vintage. Lots to like, no doubt but comparing the current run of vintages with those of the past is very tricky as so much has changed here. Certainly one could say 21 is like 16, but it is more generous;y endowed in general with tannins that are less noble than those found in many 16s. More to come once I return home.
Only time in Serralunga for the remainder of the trip is a visit with Massolino Monday morning. We come every spring, and I usually make it back once or twice throught the remainder of the year so with some forethought we should plan to share a glass or two sometime! How did you end up in Serralunga?
From what I’ve tasted (and read), 2019 is a better vintage than 2020. 2019 seems classic and structured but still with good fruit for most wines that I have tried. Some wines may be a bit austere. I actually like the vintage a lot. 2020s are super forward and accessible but the fruit seems darker than what I really like and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of structure. Good for early drinking. 2021 should be the best of the three. It should combine some elements of both. All three are much, much better than 2018 or 2017, and also I’d imagine 2022 and 2023. And probably 2024 as well. For wines that I like, I would buy from any of those three vintages if the price was right, but I’d buy the least from 2020 unless it was something I really knew I enjoyed young. (The caveat being that what I’ve tasted from 2021 is nebbiolo Langhe or alto Piemonte, not Barolo or Barbaresco. I’m assuming though that what I’ve tasted is representative.).
I’ll be in Barolo next week as well and am definitely looking forward to getting a feel for the 21 vintage! Based on what I’ve had from Langhe Nebbiolos and Barbaresco so far, I’m pretty giddy to dive in.
If by chance anyone wants to meet up from Monday—>Thursday, please send me a DM.
@Michae1_P0wers, I think you nailed the profiles on 19 and 20. I’ve done horizontals of both vintages with a focus on classic and up&coming producers and preferred 19 for the long run, but certainly enjoyed the 20s for the happy go lucky wines they seem to be.
I’m on my way to Milan and finished off my visits in Barolo. I had a good chance to dig into a smattering of 21s and the vintage is indeed (from what I tasted) a real heater. The comparison I heard from when I asked was 99. I don’t think any of us will complain with that!!
We were there for a few days 2 weeks ago. Tasted at Vajra/Baudana, F. Alessandria and Lugi Pira. Excellent vintage indeed. Some wines like Vajra BDV will need many years though the quality was very clear. Baudana Cerratta was probably the absolute best wine we tasted but it had been open a full day in advance. F Alessandria line up is an absolute homerun and Pira did very well and is a great value. The Vinga Rionda will need a lot of cellar time.
With people wanting to drink the vintage and a few of us having been to Piedmont very recently, thoughts on organizing a big ass 21 tasting this fall somewhere where many can fly into?
Being in the Bay, yea, I wouldn’t mind that. But, I know I can reserve a spot for 10-15 people in Chicago if that works best. There’ll be a lot of cat herding, but I’m happy to be the point guy to make it happen