It’s time for Piedmont’s ‘other’ great Nebbiolo wine to stop being seen as the perennial bridesmaid to Barolo, says Ian D’Agata. Barbaresco is just as good and (whisper it) in some cases better, especially when it comes to price...
Barbaresco wine: know your vintages
2011: Great vintage of rich yet graceful wines; a minority are overripe, but much better than Barolo. Naturally reduced yields due to flowering difficulties.
Drink 2016-2030
2010: Solid wines; less successful than Barolo due to ill-timed rains.
Drink 2015-2025
2009: Difficult for Barbaresco; at best, soft wines of early appeal.
Drink 2015-2024
2008: Classic vintage of high-acid, tannic wines that will age well.
Drink 2015-2035
2007: A warm vintage of softer wines; some are overripe.
Drink 2015-2025
2006: High acid, resolutely tannic wines that need cellaring.
Drink 2015-2040
2005: Fresh and perfumed wines; underrated due to the late season rains that hit Barolo, but less so in Barbaresco.
Drink 2015-2030
2004: Overrated year: good, well balanced, powerful wines; but many evolving quickly, too ripe and one-dimensional.
Drink 2015-2020.
2003: Very dry, hot year; wines high in alcohol and super-ripe.
Drink up.
2002: Rain-plagued vintage; lighter bodied wines, but some positive surprises.
Drink up.
2001: Stellar vintage that has it all: balance, charm and power.
Drink 2015-2035.
2000: A hot vintage overrated from the start; some very good wines but not the greatest.
Drink 2015-2020
