Simply put, 2021 is shaping up to be a classic Barolo vintage—one that captures everything Nebbiolo lovers hope for. Many are already comparing it to recent greats like 2016 and 2010. While some suggest that it might fall just short of those benchmarks, others believe it could match—or even surpass—the quality of those earlier vintages.

What sets 2021 apart is its combination of structure, elegance, and freshness. Unlike some of the warmer recent vintages, this year reflects a return to traditional Barolo: beautifully defined tannins, bright acidity, and delicate yet powerful aromatics. It’s a vintage where entry-level Barolos (the normales) will offer early appeal and will reward mid-term aging, while the top bottlings have the potential to age effortlessly for decades.

Well, simply put, 2022 is a great Bordeaux vintage. In most people’s estimation, it ranks together with 2005 as one of the greatest vintages so far this century.

In some ways, though, it’s even better than 2005. In 2005, it was still the “Parker” era. That is, Chateaux made wine in a style that was designed to please the influential wine critic Robert Parker. This tended to mean lots of ripe fruit and new oak. 

Since 2005, things have changed dramatically. Wine making has generally improved. And the style has moved away from Parker towards a more balanced, classic style. In 2022, we get a truly great vintage that is benefiting from both trends.

The first thing that everybody learns about Aglianico is that it’s kind of like Nebbiolo. Calling Aglianico the “Nebbiolo of the South” may sound trite, and yet it is helpful. Like Nebbiolo, Aglianico can produce powerful, long-lived, high acid, tannic wines that manage to seduce with compelling aromatics and elegance. 

Some people resist this comparison. It belittles Aglianico, they say. And it obscures the important differences between Nebbiolo and Aglianico. 

This post is part IV of a series called "Marvels on the Margins" which explores the over-looked regions of Italy. You can read the introduction to the series here, as well as Part 2 on Vino Nobile di Montepulciano here and Part 3 Trentino-Alto Adige here.