Campania Vintage Chart

2021 was an outstanding vintage in Campania, particularly for white wines. Although bad news existed in the form of reduced yields, particularly for Fiano, the overall quality of fruit was very good. Winter was wet and mild which helped prepare the vineyards for an intensely hot summer. An April cold snap did most of the crop reducing damage, but In Taurasi, where Aglianico is often planted at relatively higher altitudes, things went reasonably smoothly and the appellation reported only minor reductions in quantity. Summer was intensely hot and dry, with conditions starting to look bleak until late July rains provided relief. With this came sporadic attacks of powdery mildew, but producers were generally able to keep it under control. A typical harvest, lasting two months for those with white grapes in neighbouring appellations, culminated in Taurasi in November. 

Spring was dreamlike, with ample sun, warm temperatures, ideal temperatures and no frost (unlike many recent years). Summer was a bit hotter than average, but with a good temperature gap between day and night. There was some rainfall at the end of October that affected Aglianico, resulting in a slightly lower crop than normal; quality, at this point, looks very good, with deep color and good acidity levels

Winter was quite cold with significant snow, while spring was rather cool. Summer was lovely with moderate temperatures and very good temperature gap between day and night. Autumn and the harvest period were marked by wonderful climatic conditions; the size of the crop was plentiful and the wines offer very good acidity. Potentially, the wines from this year could be outstanding with excellent cellar potential when they are released; look for 15-20 years of drinking enjoyment. 

This was a problematic growing season complicated by a cold winter, plentiful rain and even hail in the spring. Late summer heat helped speed up ripening, but overall, the wines are unbalanced with low acidity; the harvest itself was very small in size. Many wines will have short to mid-term cellar potential, to be consumed from 5-12 years. 

2017

A moderately cold winter was followed by a surprising snowfall at the beginning of spring; this provided for good water reserves for the vines. May and June were rainy and hot, which were followed by a moderate summer; these conditions continued into September and October and into the harvest. The wines have very good acidity and color; the harvest itself was small. While 2017 was much too hot throughout most of Italy, conditions here were milder. The best wines should drink well for 10-15 years. 

Winter temperatures were mild, while spring was quite rainy. Summer was moderately hot, allowing for slower ripening to assure more pronounced aromatics. There were a few rainfalls during the harvest, which delayed final picking. The wines are ripe with slightly lower acidity and are nicely concentrated; the best examples offer excellent varietal purity and will cellar for 15-20 years. 

Winter was very cold with significant snow. Spring was quite rainy with average temperatures, while summer was extremely hot from June to early September. Temperatures were rather cool throughout September, while October was quite rainy, with a few serious hailstorms. The size of the harvest was low, but the wines offered impressive depth of fruit with good acidity. This is more of a mid-term vintage, as far as aging; the top wines will peak in 12-15 years.

2014

Winter and spring temperatures were normal, but rainfall was well above average in spring and part of summer; this affected the humidity of the grapes. Summer was extremely hot; the hottest of the last ten years. Harvest was on average ten days later than normal. On the whole, the grapes were very concentrated and there was good acidity; the size of the crop was quite low. The finished wines are uneven, as there is power without pronounced aromatics. Drink these wines now or over the next 5-7 years.

Winter was very cold, while spring was quite hot and rainy. Summer was hotter than usual, which led to very ripe grapes with slightly lower acidity; the size of the harvest was normal. The top Taurasi from 2012 are forward with medium-full tannins; as there is not the structure for long-term aging, look for the best examples from this vintage to peak between 10-12 years.

Temperatures were normal in winter, while snowfall was limited. April was very warm, while May and June were relatively mild in terms of heat, but were quite rainy; this was followed by a very hot July and August. Normal temperatures returned in September and remained until harvest, which was normal in size. There is balanced acidity, while tannins are ripe, along with notably ripe fruit. The wines offer power, but not the structure for long aging, as most wines will peak between 10-12 years of age.

A wonderful vintage with very regular seasonal temperatures. Overall, the rains were slight until the beginning of October, while temperatures were slightly below average and rains were intermittent in November and the harvest. The finished wines displayed expressive aromatics, very good acidity and notable structure. Look for the best examples to peak in 15-20 years.