Barolo: know your vintages

2017

hail in April, sporadic rainfall, and a long, dry summer with heat spikes. Small berries, concentrated wines that may lack perfect balance.

2016

fine summer weather continued into September, with cool nights giving prolonged hang-time. potentially superb. Drink 2021-2038 2015

July was hotter than 2003, but it cooled off in late August. early-drinking vintage, resembling 2007 and 2009. Drink 2019-2030

2014

early summer was wet with sporadic hail, but sunny days from mid-September. October weather worsened, leading to some variable quality. Drink 2018-2028 2013

Wet spring but good flowering, some mildew in a fairly cool summer. Generous crop, and a wet September gave less rich wines, but the best are perfumed, elegant. Drink 2019-2030

2012

complicated by hailstorms, heat spikes, and sunburn, but there are some excellent wines. Drink 2018-2025