2022 was a challenging vintage for Barolo, yet its wines
feel particularly in tune with the times. There is structure,
yes, but also a fresh openness that invites you in rather
than keeping you at a distance.
The colour glows with
youthful garnet tones, while the nose unfolds with cherries,
rose petals and a gentle sprinkle of spice that lingers. On
the palate, the tannins feel present yet welcoming and
less austere. It is the kind of Barolo that reminds me that
tradition is not about rigidity; it is about continuity.
And then there is Barolo Riserva 2020; a wine that
gives you the sensation of breathing in the gorgeous
Piemontese landscape. If Barolo 2022 speaks with
openness, the 2020 Riservas seem to be marked by
great balance.
Extended ageing has begun to shape the
tannins into something less intrusive, allowing typical
notes of dried rose and sweet spice to mingle with deeper
earthy tones. It is not a loud vintage; rather, it invites you
to slow down and savour.
All these beauties come in the Albeisa bottle, with that
trademark curve that signals you are holding a piece
of Alba’s identity. Designed centuries ago and revived
by visionary producers, it travels the world as a subtle
ambassador, announcing its origin before you even read
the label.
What I find so intriguing about Nebbiolo is the sense of
belonging it carries. The Langhe is more than vineyards;
it is a cultural landscape where wine, truffles and tradition
coexist.
Today, projects to restore wooded areas and
protect biodiversity remind us that wine is also about
responsibility; a promise to future generations that these
hills will continue to tell their story.
In the end, Nebbiolo is not just a grape. It is a symbol. It
reflects patience, resilience and the beauty of evolution.
Josef Bonello
Anointed by the god Bacchus himself as one of his most loyal prophets, Joséf was entrusted with the sacred mission of bringing wine to people very early on in his adult life. Spreading his mantra that age improves with wine, he has now been delivering the good news for almost three decades, saving many a poor soul from being lost to meagre pleasures of other earthly potions by helping them see the light eternal, as seen through a gleaming goblet of wine of the finest.
Click here to see Horeca Issue 23 online