Most people are not having high expectations for the 2022 vintage like they had for the previous 2021. This is because we all remember the extremely dry conditions and whenever you have a very extreme vintage, there is a lot of curiousity and skepticism about what the results will be like in the glass.

However, we were quite impressed with the outcome! You might expect a hot dry vintage to give low acidity, overripe fruit and too much roundness. The opposite seemed true for me.

A lot of the wines were bright, energetic with freshness. Some tannins were a bit harsh to me in the front palate (perhaps still green tannin or unripe polyphenols due to slightly early picking?) while others were reall easy drinking but with good nerve and tension.

I think the experience of the winemakers now with warmer and drier vintages is very evident by looking at this vintage. 

CHIONETTI

BUSSIA VIGNA PIANPOLVERE BAROLO 2022 – One of the standouts for me for its expressiveness. 30 months in large oak casks, this was bursting with fruit and floral notes and had an added pepperiness on the palate. 9/10

FILIPPO GALLINO

ROERO 2022 – Large old Slavonian casks with classic Nebbiolo characteristics of strawberry, tar and sweet ripe fruit. Present tannins but fine and soft. Long finish. 8.5/10 (Only 1,500 bot. prod.).

DIEGO RIVETTI 

COMUNE DI SERRALUNGA BAROLO 2022 – After featuring Diego’s wines in our club for the last 2 shipments, it comes to no surprise that we enjoyed his 2022 Barolo. Spiced with violets on the nose, good structure and long finish. 8/10

VALFACENDA

ROERO 2022 – Red fruits, fresh, light but present tannins. 8/10 Beautiful

VALMAGGIORE RISERVA 2022 -Strawberries and spice, more tannin on the palate. A bit tight knit but at the same time more complex and interesting. 8/10

BENOTTI ROSAVICA 

ROERO 2022 – Perfumes jump out of Armando’s wines. Strawberries and ripe red berries. Delicate and fresh on the palate. 8/10

GALLINO GIUSEPPE

ROERO RISERVA 2022 – A newcomer from Canale on mostly sandy soils.  Ripe fruit, pepper. 7.5/10 Actually loved the perfumes on the Nebbiolo more (just stainless steel) 8.5/10

CARLO GIACOSA  

MONTEFICO BARBARESCO  2022 – Floral, Balsamic with dried flowers and spice. Delicate tannins but good body. 8.5/10

CA NOVA 

MONTEFICO BARBARESCO 2022 – 18 months in big barrels. Open, fruity, fresh, deep and dark cherry with rose and violets. Balanced tannins, very enjoyable now. Not a super long finish but lovely 9/10

CA NOVA

MONTESTEFANO BARBARESCO 2022 – Deeper darker, cocoa, cherries, can taste the “dry vintage” with chalky, dusty texture. Important vertical tannins. 9/10 considering potential 8:5/10 to drink now.

E.MOLINO

RISERVA FICO 2020 BAROLO – No surprise here! We love RISERVA FICO and this was no disappointment. Deep dark, floral (violets) smooth balanced and fresh is what I wrote 🙂 then WOW! 9/10

CASCINA VANO

BARBARESCO PILONE NEI RIVETTI RISERVA 2021 – Lovely classic Nebbiolo bouquet, juicy, nice tannic backbone. Really promising but still young. 9/10

CASCINA VAL DEL PRETE

VIGNA DI LINO ROERO 2023 – 50 days of maceration, 2 years in big barrels. Deep and dark flavors, explosive with great nerve thanks possibly to the rain in September. 9/10

DOMENICO CLERICO

CIABOT MENTIN BAROLO 2021 – Of course this was a standout, in part because of this iconic producer and also the vintage and vineyard! 24 months in BIG barrels, Explosive, herbal, balsamic with great elegance. 9/10

COGNO

RAVERA BAROLO 2021 – Classic Barolo of tar, roses, wild strawberries with fine tannins perfectly balanced and a bit of dried apricot on the finish. This is always a consistent favorite of mine 9/10

DABBENE  

ROERO ARNEIS 2021 – Pale straw yellow, more floral notes than fruit which is unusual for Arneis. Stainless steel. Suprising freshness, mouthwatering quality despite the 5 years of aging! Real surprise 8/10