Best Barolo 2022: Winemag scores | Grandi Langhe 2026

The presentation of Barolo 2022 at Grandi Langhe 2026 marks the “official” market entry of an anticipated and much-discussed vintage. The scores assigned by Winemag to the tasted samples offer an initial qualitative snapshot of a vintage born under extreme weather conditions, with prolonged heat and widespread water stress.

The 2022 harvest was characterized by high temperatures and low rainfall, with a long, dry summer. In the case of Nebbiolo for Barolo, technological ripeness was reached earlier than average, with rapid sugar accumulation and a progressive drop in total acidity as early as the first weeks of September.

The sugar-to-acidity ratio reached high levels, with significant potential alcohol. At the same time, pH and acidity levels required particular attention during harvesting and winemaking to preserve balance and freshness in wines destined for long aging.

The climate also affected berry size, which was on average smaller than in previous years. The reduction in berry weight, associated with the concentration of phenolic substances, favored significant structures in the wines.

On the health front, however, the outlook was positive. The absence of rain in the pre-harvest period limited phytosanitary issues, allowing producers to choose the harvest time with greater precision.

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The phenolic heritage of the 2022 Nebbiolo in the Barolo areas remained at adequate levels to support structured wines. The accumulation of anthocyanins and tannin maturity were central elements in defining the final profile.

Concentration, dense tannic texture, and sustained alcohol are recurring traits in the tasted samples. The management of extraction and maceration times made the difference between more tense, vertical interpretations and warmer, more enveloping versions.

The distribution of scores assigned by Winemag to the Barolo 2022 presented at Grandi Langhe 2026 highlights a medium-high quality level. The peak is at 95/100, with a small group of labels capable of combining structure, balance, and aromatic precision. These latter traits were much more present in the 2021 Barolo vintage.

The 90 to 94 point range is broad, where most of the tasted samples are concentrated. These are wines that fully express the character of the vintage, with differences linked more to the interpretation of crus and municipalities than to stylistic choices. There are also some lower ratings, in some cases penalized by imbalances between components.

Overall, Barolo 2022 presents as a vintage of substance and concentration, which will require time to find full harmony. The scores provide a detailed picture, in which interpretations emerge that are capable of transforming a complex vintage into significant wines for the denomination.