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Among the articles in our Journal, we couldn’t avoid talking about the Langhe, the homeland of Nebbiolo and a place we feel especially close to. For us, Barolo and Barbaresco are more than just appellations: they are almost a second home, a true obsession.
Nebbiolo and Its Thousand Facets
The Langhe possess a rare gift: the ability to make Nebbiolo speak with ever-changing voices, depending on the village where it grows. Just a few kilometers can reveal wines that are strikingly different, shaped by unique soils, altitudes, exposures, and interpreted by producers with their own distinctive styles.
In Monforte d’Alba, the compact, marl-rich soils of Ca’ di Press produce austere, profound, and sculpted wines, perfect for standing the test of time. A little further on, in Serralunga d’Alba, Giovanni Rosso’s calcareous and iron-rich plots yield powerful, vertical wines with firm tannins and extraordinary longevity. This is Nebbiolo at its most imposing, expressing its classical greatness.
Moving toward La Morra, both the landscape and the character of the wine shift. Among the vineyards of Crissante Alessandria, Maffrei, and Castrum Roche, Nebbiolo becomes gentler and more elegant, with silky tannins and floral notes that captivate immediately. Here is a more approachable expression, able to enchant even those discovering Barolo for the first time.
Between Monforte and La Morra lies Castiglione Falletto, a village seemingly made to express balance. Vineyards sit between 250 and 400 meters above sea level on mixed soils combining compact marl and lighter sand. This geological duality gives Castiglione wines their completeness: structure and power on one side, elegance and softness on the other. It’s no surprise that Cavallotto interprets this terroir so beautifully, producing Barolos that unite the best of both worlds, appealing to lovers of depth and finesse alike.
Crossing the Tanaro brings you into Barbaresco territory, gentler in its contours and soils, yet equally capable of moving the senses. At Barbaresco, La Ca’ Nova’s wines shine with grace and precision, grown on hills between 250 and 300 meters with calcareous marl soils that produce refined yet substantial wines. In Tre Stelle, one of the most prized sites, Cascina delle Rose delivers vibrant bottles where sandy soils enhance delicate aromas and a mineral tension that translates into rare elegance.
In Neive, Francesco Versio guides Nebbiolo through a dance of softness and energy. Here, mixed marl and clay soils at slightly higher altitudes give structure and depth, resulting in silky, layered wines with unmistakable finesse.
Even beyond the most celebrated appellations, Nebbiolo continues to surprise. At Montelupo Albese, with DWNL, the higher altitudes and limestone-rich soils create fresh, dynamic wines with a contemporary character, once again demonstrating the extraordinary versatility of this variety.
Different souls of a single grape, expressing a thousand nuances in the hands of skilled producers: power and longevity, grace and immediacy, balance and complexity. It is precisely this richness of styles that makes Barolo and Barbaresco truly unique in the world.
Barolo 2021: the allure of classicism
The 2021 harvest in the hills of Barolo was one of the most balanced and successful in recent years. After a harsh winter and a cool spring, the summer was warm but never extreme, allowing Nebbiolo to ripen slowly and fully. This equilibrium gave rise to wines of great harmony, with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and concentrated, complex aromas.
The 2021 Barolos are richer than the austere 2019s, yet more vibrant than the 2020s, resulting in wines that are overall harmonious and coherent. Many experts compare this vintage to modern classics such as 2010 and 2016. The top crus express their character at its fullest, while even the more traditional Barolos show impressive quality, proof of an exceptional year.
2021 was marked by some local challenges, including frost and hail in specific vineyards, but the overall impact on production was limited. The long growing season allowed full tannin ripening and complex aromatic development, while the day-to-night temperature swings contributed to freshness and depth of flavours.
Today, the 2021 Barolos combine structure and finesse: many can already be enjoyed young thanks to careful, modern cellar work that prioritizes balance and fruit purity, yet they are also wines designed for long aging. This is a vintage to explore thoughtfully, confirming the timeless allure of Nebbiolo and the Langhe’s extraordinary capacity to produce great Barolos.
Barbaresco 2022: unexpected elegance
The 2022 vintage in Barbaresco came as a pleasant surprise, despite initially challenging conditions. The summer was relentlessly hot and dry, pushing the vines to their limits. Yet the 2022 Barbaresco wines show a surprisingly light structure, as if the ripening paused at just the right moment, with soft tannins far less austere than one might have expected. In very hot years in Piedmont, the main concern is always under-ripe tannins, but it seems vineyard practices are adapting better to extreme heat and drought.
Yield management proved essential: careful thinning allowed the grapes to fully ripen, preventing heat and dryness from compromising fruit quality. Canopy management has also evolved: less aggressive pruning is now done earlier in the season, helping the grapes acclimate to the intense summer sun. Climate change has intensified sunlight and reduced water availability, significantly altering the end of the growing season compared to the past.
Many 2022 Barbaresco spent less time in oak and were bottled relatively early, with only a few Riserva produced. Overall, 2022 emerges as an elegant vintage, ready to enjoy in the medium term, offering freshness and harmony, a subtle revelation for anyone seeking an accessible yet complex expression of Nebbiolo.
Langhe and Switzerland: a unique connection
Thanks to our work, these wines are now available in Switzerland, particularly in Lugano and across Ticino. We collaborate directly with small wineries and artisans, building relationships of trust that go far beyond a simple purchase. The result is a carefully curated collection, often impossible to find elsewhere, bringing the best of Nebbiolo straight to your glass.
Tastings, friendships, and territory
Our visits to wineries, Crissante Alessandria, Giovanni Rosso, La Ca’ Nova, and Cascina delle Rose, remind us every time of the magic of the Langhe. Bringing Barolo and Barbaresco to Switzerland means sharing a piece of territory, culture, and passion with those who choose us.
Whether you love great wines from Piedmont or want to discover the world of Nebbiolo, the 2021 Barolo and 2022 Barbaresco vintages are not to be missed: perfect for collectors, for building your cellar, or simply for enjoying the pleasure of a great wine right away.
For us at Chronos Wine Cellar, wine is a journey, not just a display. And we will continue to share the lands, the producers, and the vintages that move us most.