2021 Barolo Vintage: Everything you need to know
Vintage Overview
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Barolo 2021: What’s All the Fuss?
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.
What Made 2021 Such a Great Vintage?
As always, it comes down to the weather. The 2021 growing season was warmer than average but not hot, and, importantly, it avoided the punishing heat spikes and drought stress that have defined some recent vintages. A long growing season allowed for full tannin development, while a rain-free autumn with the classic pattern of warm days and cool nights ensured the grapes continued to ripen while retaining their natural freshness.
In short, the conditions were close to ideal—though some growers did experience significant frost damage early in the season, reducing yields. But for those unaffected by frost, 2021 was the kind of vintage where you really had to make mistakes in the cellar not to produce great wine.
What Are the Wines Like?
Thinking back to my earliest experiences with “great” Barolo vintages—like 1996 or 2001—I remember wines that were almost impenetrable in their youth, packed with formidable tannins that demanded patience. But times have changed. Thanks to evolving vineyard practices, like green harvesting, and tannin management during fermentation, even top Barolos now tend to be far more approachable upon release.
That’s true for 2021, particularly at the normale level. The tannins are present and structured, but they’re well-integrated and don’t overpower the wine’s fruit and elegance.
That’s not to say these wines lack power. Like all great Barolos, they possess strength and longevity, underpinned by a beautiful balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity.
That said, some producers have started experimenting with lower-extraction styles, resulting in wines that are softer and more reminiscent, at least structurally, of Burgundy. While this trend may appeal to some, I’m not entirely convinced, as the low-extraction Barolos I’ve tasted have a “sameness” to them that make them kind of boring. We’ll have to wait and see how this trend evolves.
How Will the Wines Age?
All signs suggest that the 2021 Barolos have excellent aging potential. With their ripe tannins, vibrant acidity, and concentrated fruit, the foundation for long-term cellaring is firmly in place.
That said, will these wines age like the legendary Barolos of the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s? It’s hard to say. Wines from more recent great vintages—like 2001, 2004, and 2006—seem to be evolving faster than their predecessors. Some blame green harvesting and the pursuit of riper tannins, while others point to inconsistent cork quality.
More recent vintages such as 2013 and 2016 appear to be aging at a more traditional pace, perhaps reflecting refined vineyard and bottling practices (though possibly it is just too soon to tell). Many growers are now taking a more nuanced approach to green harvesting, and cork quality has improved significantly.
Regardless, the 2021s have all the potential to age beautifully for 20 years. Longer than that is impossible to predict, but who cares? If you’re like me, you don’t want to wait longer than 20 years to drink the wines that you’re cellaring!
What Will 2021 Barolo Prices Be Like?
It’s still early to say definitively, as most wines haven’t been officially released and pricing information remains scarce. So far, the prices I’ve seen are a mixed bag: some continuing in line with 2019 and 2020 pricing or maybe slightly higher, and others showing substantial increases.
I’d wager that the most sought-after producers—Bartolo Mascarello, Burlotto, and their peers—will continue to see significant price hikes as demand surges. That said, the vast majority of high-quality Barolo remains remarkably good value for what it offers. Expect to find beautiful, age-worthy wines for under or around $100, with many excellent options even closer to $50.
So What’s the Bottom Line on 2021 Barolo?
Barolo’s reputation has been on a steady climb for years, and the 2021 vintage will only cement its status as one of the world’s great wine regions. This is a classic vintage—offering elegance, structure, and freshness that speaks to the heart of what makes Nebbiolo so special.
If you’re a seasoned Barolo collector, this is a vintage you shouldn’t miss. I suspect 2021 will attract significant attention, much like 2016 did, drawing in both longtime collectors and newcomers eager to experience the magic of Barolo.
This surge in interest will likely lead to heavy competition for the vintage’s “trophy” wines. If you can find and afford them, go for it. But this vintage also presents a fantastic opportunity to explore new producers. There are still plenty of under-the-radar gems, offering outstanding value and availability.
My advice? Buy some normale Barolos from producers you’re less familiar with and see what you think. If the wines impress you, consider investing more broadly for mid- to long-term cellaring—you might just discover your next favorite producer.
Further readingRecent Barolo vintage reports
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