Also by Jeremy Young:The Italy Wine ProjectThe Humidor Project
The Italy Wine Project

Vintages

Vintage charts

The stars and official verdicts come from the consorzio that looks after each wine, and each one links back to where they published it. The short descriptions are my own summaries of their harvest reports.

The gold scores out of 100 are mine. For each year I started from where the major critics agree, using the vintage charts from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck and Decanter, checked that against the consorzio's report, and moved the number wherever I saw the year differently. Years without a gold score are ones I haven't settled yet.

Only a few Italian consorzi publish a verdict on every year, so those are the areas here. I couldn't find an official series for places like Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Bolgheri or Etna, and I'd rather leave them off than make one up.

A consorzio speaks for its own growers, so read the stars as a way to compare one year with another in the same place. The scales also differ, and four stars in Brunello won't mean the same thing as four in Amarone.

Piedmont

Barolo and Barbaresco

1966 to 2023

The consorzio for Barolo and Barbaresco rated every vintage from 1966 to 2003 on a five star scale, each with a one line note, and it has published a report on every harvest since 1995. The stars and notes below are theirs, translated; the descriptions are my summaries of their reports. I have not found official star ratings for the years after 2003.

BaroloBarbaresco

At a glance

  1. 202392 out of 100
  2. 202292 out of 100
  3. 202198 out of 100
  4. 202094 out of 100
  5. 201997 out of 100
  6. 201892 out of 100
  7. 201793 out of 100
  8. 201698 out of 100
  9. 201595 out of 100
  10. 201491 out of 100
  11. 201395 out of 100
  12. 201293 out of 100
  13. 201192 out of 100
  14. 201098 out of 100
  15. 200995 out of 100
  16. 200894 out of 100
  17. 200794 out of 100
  18. 200695 out of 100
  19. 200591 out of 100
  20. 200496 out of 100
  21. 200386 out of 100
  22. 200275 out of 100
  23. 200196 out of 100
  24. 200094 out of 100
  25. 199995 out of 100
  26. 199893 out of 100
  27. 199793 out of 100
  28. 199698 out of 100
  29. 199588 out of 100
  • 96 to 100
  • 93 to 95
  • 90 to 92
  • 87 to 89
  • Under 87

Year by year

  1. 202392 out of 100, my score
  2. 202292 out of 100, my score
  3. 202198 out of 100, my score
    A snowy winter, then the least rainy season in years, with spring frost damage slight and limited to low Nebbiolo sites. July hail hit parts of the Roero but not Barolo or Barbaresco, and Nebbiolo and Barbera came in with high sugar and notable acidity. Source
  4. 202094 out of 100, my score
    A dry, mild spring pointed to an early year, then a wet May and June slowed it down and filled the soils. A cool start to September paused ripening before it surged, and Barbera and Nebbiolo came in with excellent sugar and acidity. Source
  5. 201997 out of 100, my score
    A traditional season about two weeks behind recent years, with heat waves in late June and late July. A hailstorm on 5 September hit two areas around Alba but largely spared Barolo, Barbaresco and Dogliani. Source
  6. 201892 out of 100, my score
    A long, wet winter and rainy spring, disease pressure in late May and June, then a big crop that needed thinning. A warm, stable summer ripened the grapes on a classic schedule, with moderate alcohol and fresh acidity. Source
  7. 201793 out of 100, my score
    Hot and very dry, with an April frost limited to valley floors. Cooler nights than in other hot years and a cooler September helped Nebbiolo and Barbera build more colour and tannin than an early vintage usually gives. Source
  8. 201698 out of 100, my score
    One of the longest seasons in years: a late cold snap delayed budbreak about ten days, and the delay held through a warm summer and a fine September. Healthy grapes and full ripeness, with Nebbiolo picked into mid October. Source
  9. 201595 out of 100, my score
    A snowy winter, an early season and July peaks around 40 degrees, with no water stress thanks to winter reserves. Among the healthiest vintages in years, though growers had to keep bunches shaded from sunburn. Source
  10. 201491 out of 100, my score
    One of the hardest seasons to manage in years, with violent, very localised summer downpours and heavy disease pressure that cut the crop. A fine September and October with wide day and night swings brought pleasant surprises in quality. Source
  11. 201395 out of 100, my score
    A late, wet spring left the season about 15 days behind, and the last Nebbiolo came in early November. A warm, calm September and October rescued it; where the vineyard work was right, the consorzio expected long lived wines and an excellent vintage. Source
  12. 201293 out of 100, my score
    February frost down to minus 15 degrees, a wet spring and poor fruit set, then a hot, dry summer peaking at 38 degrees. Winter snow and spring rain kept water stress away. Source
  13. 201192 out of 100, my score
    Very early, running about two weeks ahead after a hot April. A very hot August cost the grapes weight, especially on south facing slopes, and uneven ripening made the picking date critical. Source
  14. 201098 out of 100, my score
    A long, cold winter and a rainy start to summer put ripening back on a classic timetable. Warm days and cool nights through September built colour and tannin, rewarding the best sites. Source
  15. 200995 out of 100, my score
    A snowy winter and a wet spring left water in reserve for a rainless, hot summer. Ripening came early and uneven, with plenty of sugar and low malic acid, and the consorzio thought it could rank among the best recent vintages. Source
  16. 200894 out of 100, my score
    A hard year of downy and powdery mildew from mid May through July, with hail and wind in places, cutting yields 10 to 15 percent. More than fifty dry, mild days from late August saved the late varieties, and the consorzio thought Nebbiolo could reach excellence. Source
  17. 200794 out of 100, my score
    A very mild winter pushed flowering about 20 days early, and picking for sparkling bases began around 20 August. Healthy grapes, yields down 10 to 15 percent, and high sugar in Nebbiolo and Barbera. Source
  18. 200695 out of 100, my score
    A cold, snowy winter and a hot, very dry summer until mid September storms dropped three to five times the month's normal rain in four days. The parched soils absorbed it, and the early and mid season varieties did especially well. Source
  19. 200591 out of 100, my score
    A changeable year, with heat in June and late July and a cooler August, then warm September days and cool nights. Early October rain came after most Barolo was picked; the consorzio put the year at 8 out of 10, with about 10 percent less wine than 2004. Source
  20. 200496 out of 100, my score
    Winter and spring rain refilled the soils after 2003, powdery mildew was the worry in July, and a mild summer left ripening ten days behind. A sunny, dry September into October brought in healthy grapes of higher quality than anyone expected. Source
  21. 200386 out of 100, my score

    “Full bodied, elegant wines”

    Record heat and almost no rain: by the end of August the vines had banked as much warmth as a normal year does by late September. Some sunburn on exposed bunches, high alcohol and good acidity. Source
  22. 200275 out of 100, my score

    “Wines of good breadth and harmony”

    A cool, rainy year with September hail broke a long run of warm vintages and cut yields hard. Growers had to sort out rot, and the consorzio still rated late picked Nebbiolo good, with some very good results. Source
  23. 200196 out of 100, my score

    “Very harmonious wines with good structure”

    A frost of minus 5 degrees on 15 April hit vineyards that had never frozen before, followed by a hot, dry August. Quality came close to 2000, with slightly lower sugar in the later varieties and about 10 percent more wine. Source
  24. 200094 out of 100, my score

    “Splendid wines for structure and harmony”

    A mild winter and a wet spring, then a long sunny spell from mid August to mid September. Nebbiolo came in with high alcohol, deep colour and firm structure. Source
  25. 199995 out of 100, my score

    “Broadly structured, full bodied wines”

    A bigger crop than the two years before. Mid September rain slowed picking without harm, then high pressure to mid October finished Nebbiolo with deep colour and structure; the consorzio counted it a fifth great year in a row. Source
  26. 199893 out of 100, my score

    “Wines of great structure, long lived”

    Hotter still than 1997, with a summer nobody could remember matching. Clean grapes with slightly less sugar than 1997, better in Nebbiolo and Barbera than in the early varieties, and about 10 percent less wine. Source
  27. 199793 out of 100, my score

    “Broadly structured, full bodied wines”

    Dry and warm from late January through September, with budbreak 20 to 30 days early. An excellent, dry September brought in ripe, healthy grapes. Source
  28. 199698 out of 100, my score

    “Wines of excellent structure and ample perfume”

    A snowy winter and a changeable summer, then a warm, dry, breezy first three weeks of September. The consorzio's analyses came close to 1990, and even Nebbiolo showed unusually deep colour. Source
  29. 199588 out of 100, my score

    “Wines of good structure and elegance”

    A small but good crop. An unsettled flowering and violent August hail cut yields, then a dry October rescued the late ripening Nebbiolo and Barbera. Source
  30. 1994

    “Delicate wines of modest structure”

  31. 1993

    “Wines of good structure and breadth”

  32. 1992

    “Delicate wines, not very broad”

  33. 1991

    “Fairly elegant wines, short lived”

  34. 1990

    “Excellent wines for breadth and elegance”

  35. 1989

    “Splendid wines for structure and harmony”

  36. 1988

    “Wines of great breadth and elegance”

  37. 1987

    “Wines of fair structure and longevity”

  38. 1986

    “Wines of good structure and longevity”

  39. 1985

    “Great, elegant, long lived wines”

  40. 1984

    “Delicate, harmonious, elegant wines”

  41. 1983

    “Wines of good breadth and harmony”

  42. 1982

    “Wines of great structure, long lived”

  43. 1981

    “Average wines with no high points”

  44. 1980

    “Wines of good fullness and harmony”

  45. 1979

    “Very harmonious wines with good structure”

  46. 1978

    “Great, broad, persistent wines”

  47. 1977

    “Lean wines that did not hold up over time”

  48. 1976

    “Average wines with no high points”

  49. 1975

    “Delicate, pleasant wines”

  50. 1974

    “Wines of good structure and persistence”

  51. 1973

    “Wines of medium breadth and harmony”

  52. 1972
    No wine produced
  53. 1971

    “Splendid wines for harmony and structure”

  54. 1970

    “Wines of great breadth and persistence”

  55. 1969

    “Well structured, balanced wines”

  56. 1968

    “Medium weight, pleasant wines”

  57. 1967

    “Wines of excellent structure, very perfumed”

  58. 1966

    “Average wines with no high points”

Sources: Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, vintage ratings 1966 to 2003 (archived copy); Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani.

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

1945 to 2025

The Brunello consorzio has rated every vintage since 1945 on a five star scale, It now rates each vintage when the wine reaches the market, so the most recent years have no stars yet. The descriptions are my summaries of the consorzio's own harvest announcements, and exist only for the years it described.

Brunello di Montalcino

At a glance

  1. 2025Not yet
  2. 2024Not yet
  3. 2023Not yet
  4. 202292 out of 100
  5. 202198 out of 100
  6. 202093 out of 100
  7. 201997 out of 100
  8. 201893 out of 100
  9. 201790 out of 100
  10. 201698 out of 100
  11. 201596 out of 100
  12. 201486 out of 100
  13. 201395 out of 100
  14. 201294 out of 100
  15. 201192 out of 100
  16. 201098 out of 100
  17. 200994 out of 100
  18. 200893 out of 100
  19. 200796 out of 100
  20. 200697 out of 100
  21. 200590 out of 100
  22. 200495 out of 100
  23. 200387 out of 100
  24. 200278 out of 100
  25. 200195 out of 100
  26. 200093 out of 100
  27. 199995 out of 100
  28. 199890 out of 100
  29. 199796 out of 100
  30. 199687 out of 100
  31. 199593 out of 100
  • 96 to 100
  • 93 to 95
  • 90 to 92
  • 87 to 89
  • Under 87

Year by year

Consorzio stars: 1 Poor, 2 Fair, 3 Good, 4 Excellent, 5 Outstanding.

  1. 2025
    No rating published yet
  2. 2024
    No rating published yet
  3. 2023
    No rating published yet
  4. 202292 out of 100, my score
    No rating published yet
    By early August the vines were showing stress from heat and drought, until 75 to 80 mm of rain restored them, with no disease pressure. This is from the consorzio's mid season report; the vintage has no stars yet. Source
  5. 202198 out of 100, my score
    No rating published yet
  6. 202093 out of 100, my score
  7. 201997 out of 100, my score
  8. 201893 out of 100, my score
  9. 201790 out of 100, my score
  10. 201698 out of 100, my score
    A rainy spring and a balanced summer, then an autumn of hot days and cool nights that gave the grapes acidity, colour and fragrance. One consultant compared it to 2010 and 2015. Source
  11. 201596 out of 100, my score
    Warmer and drier than average with few heat waves, and cool, dry weather at harvest. Very healthy grapes and deeply coloured musts. Source
  12. 201486 out of 100, my score
    A cold, rainy summer made it a hard vintage, and strict selection of healthy grapes was essential. The consorzio described elegant, balanced wines better for drinking with pleasure than for very long ageing. Source
  13. 201395 out of 100, my score
    A rainy spring and early summer, then a sunny, breezy September and October and a late harvest the consorzio called twentieth century style. It expected elegant wines suited to long ageing, and about 10 percent more wine than 2012. Source
  14. 201294 out of 100, my score
    A cold, snowy winter and a very hot, dry summer, relieved by rain in early September. Picking ran from 17 September to 10 October with good acidity, for structured, deeply coloured wines built to age, and 14 percent less wine. Source
  15. 201192 out of 100, my score
    An early, warm spring followed by May and June rain, then an August heat wave that dried some grapes and pushed the harvest about 15 days ahead of normal. Picking early balanced the heat. Source
  16. 201098 out of 100, my score
    A cool, wet spring delayed budbreak and hurt flowering, trimming the crop by about 10 percent, and veraison ran ten days late. Stable summer weather let Sangiovese catch up, and the wines showed polyphenols and colour rarely seen in the grape. Source
  17. 200994 out of 100, my score
  18. 200893 out of 100, my score
  19. 200796 out of 100, my score
  20. 200697 out of 100, my score
    When these wines reached the market in 2011, the consorzio called 2006 one of the greatest vintages ever. Source
  21. 200590 out of 100, my score
  22. 200495 out of 100, my score
  23. 200387 out of 100, my score
  24. 200278 out of 100, my score
  25. 200195 out of 100, my score
  26. 200093 out of 100, my score
  27. 199995 out of 100, my score
  28. 199890 out of 100, my score
  29. 199796 out of 100, my score
  30. 199687 out of 100, my score
  31. 199593 out of 100, my score
  32. 1994
  33. 1993
  34. 1992
  35. 1991
  36. 1990
  37. 1989
  38. 1988
  39. 1987
  40. 1986
  41. 1985
  42. 1984
  43. 1983
  44. 1982
  45. 1981
  46. 1980
  47. 1979
  48. 1978
  49. 1977
  50. 1976
  51. 1975
  52. 1974
  53. 1973
  54. 1972
  55. 1971
  56. 1970
  57. 1969
  58. 1968
  59. 1967
  60. 1966
  61. 1965
  62. 1964
  63. 1963
  64. 1962
  65. 1961
  66. 1960
  67. 1959
  68. 1958
  69. 1957
  70. 1956
  71. 1955
  72. 1954
  73. 1953
  74. 1952
  75. 1951
  76. 1950
  77. 1949
  78. 1948
  79. 1947
  80. 1946
  81. 1945
Sources: Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, vintage ratings.

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

1997 to 2024

The Chianti Classico consorzio publishes an account of every harvest since 2010, and does not attach star ratings to most of them, so this chart is descriptions only. The one exception is 2018, when it gave an early estimate of 4 out of 5. The descriptions are my summaries of the consorzio's reports.

Chianti Classico

At a glance

  1. 202492 out of 100
  2. 202392 out of 100
  3. 202293 out of 100
  4. 202197 out of 100
  5. 202093 out of 100
  6. 201995 out of 100
  7. 201892 out of 100
  8. 201789 out of 100
  9. 201697 out of 100
  10. 201595 out of 100
  11. 201488 out of 100
  12. 201395 out of 100
  13. 201289 out of 100
  14. 201192 out of 100
  15. 201096 out of 100
  16. 200994 out of 100
  17. 200892 out of 100
  18. 200794 out of 100
  19. 200695 out of 100
  20. 200590 out of 100
  21. 200494 out of 100
  22. 200391 out of 100
  23. 200279 out of 100
  24. 200193 out of 100
  25. 200090 out of 100
  26. 199995 out of 100
  27. 199890 out of 100
  28. 199797 out of 100
  • 96 to 100
  • 93 to 95
  • 90 to 92
  • 87 to 89
  • Under 87

Year by year

  1. 202492 out of 100, my score
  2. 202392 out of 100, my score
    A wet spring brought downy mildew to some vineyards, though altitude and ventilation kept it in check and it cost quantity more than quality. Picking returned to a traditional timetable, from about 20 September. Source
  3. 202293 out of 100, my score
    No spring frost or hail, steady heat without extreme peaks, and rain in mid August that eased the drought. The Sangiovese harvest started early, around 10 September, for balanced wines with ripe, sweet tannins. Source
  4. 202197 out of 100, my score
    Spring rain built reserves for a dry summer, a cold spell after Easter briefly held back the coolest areas, and there was no fungal pressure. Cool nights from late August finished ripening, with Sangiovese picked from about 20 September. Source
  5. 202093 out of 100, my score
    A cool spring, then a long, hot summer with cool nights and no water stress thanks to rain in June and September. Frost in early April cut the crop by at least 10 percent. Source
  6. 201995 out of 100, my score
    A cooler, wetter first half of the year delayed the season in a rhythm the consorzio compared to the great vintages of the 1980s. An even summer and a fine September with big temperature swings brought perfect ripeness. Source
  7. 201892 out of 100, my score
    About 4 of 5 (early estimate)
    Early budbreak, a rainy May, then a good summer with scattered rain and a sunny September with wide day and night swings. A return to normal quantity, and an early estimate of 4 out of 5 from the consorzio. Source
  8. 201789 out of 100, my score
    One of the driest years in decades, with late frost and heat peaks in July and August until light rain in early September. The smallest crop in 40 years, about 27 percent down, with vivid, deeply coloured wines. Source
  9. 201697 out of 100, my score
    A regular year with no disease problems; dry weather at veraison was eased by rain in late August and early September. Steady heat without peaks and cool nights pointed to aromatic wines with very good acidity. Source
  10. 201595 out of 100, my score
    Regular weather throughout: a mild spring, then a hot, dry July and August balanced by cool nights. The consorzio called it excellent, with grapes of impeccable quality. Source
  11. 201488 out of 100, my score
    Frequent heavy rain and cool spells made it one of the most troubled harvests on record in central and northern Italy. A fine September and early October let Sangiovese ripen fully by mid October, for elegant, fresh wines. Source
  12. 201395 out of 100, my score
    A wet first half of the year and a late flowering, then a normal summer and a perfect September. Grape quality above average, and balanced wines without excessive alcohol. Source
  13. 201289 out of 100, my score
    Drought and one of the hottest summers in years, until rain at the end of August and in early September restarted ripening, especially for the late Sangiovese. About 16 percent less wine. Source
  14. 201192 out of 100, my score
    A mild spring with useful rain around late May and early June, then a very hot, dry August and wide day and night swings in September. About 10 percent less wine, with excellent acidity and crunchy tannins. Source
  15. 201096 out of 100, my score
    A proper winter and a cool, rainy spring delayed flowering, and ripening stayed slow through a cooler than average August and September. Careful vineyard work brought in healthy grapes. Source
  16. 200994 out of 100, my score
  17. 200892 out of 100, my score
  18. 200794 out of 100, my score
  19. 200695 out of 100, my score
  20. 200590 out of 100, my score
  21. 200494 out of 100, my score
  22. 200391 out of 100, my score
  23. 200279 out of 100, my score
  24. 200193 out of 100, my score
  25. 200090 out of 100, my score
  26. 199995 out of 100, my score
  27. 199890 out of 100, my score
  28. 199797 out of 100, my score
Sources: Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico, harvest reports.

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella

1983 to 2024

The Valpolicella consorzio rates each Amarone vintage on a five star scale, and its published table runs from 1983 to 2016. Five of those years carry an extra E after the stars, which the table does not explain, so I show it as printed. I have not found an official table for later vintages, and the consorzio publishes no descriptions to go with the stars.

Amarone della Valpolicella

At a glance

  1. 202491 out of 100
  2. 202391 out of 100
  3. 202291 out of 100
  4. 202194 out of 100
  5. 202091 out of 100
  6. 201992 out of 100
  7. 201890 out of 100
  8. 201789 out of 100
  9. 201694 out of 100
  10. 201593 out of 100
  11. 201487 out of 100
  12. 201393 out of 100
  13. 201291 out of 100
  14. 201191 out of 100
  15. 201094 out of 100
  16. 200993 out of 100
  17. 200890 out of 100
  18. 200794 out of 100
  19. 200693 out of 100
  20. 200591 out of 100
  21. 200493 out of 100
  22. 200386 out of 100
  23. 200280 out of 100
  24. 200191 out of 100
  25. 200089 out of 100
  26. 199989 out of 100
  27. 199889 out of 100
  • 96 to 100
  • 93 to 95
  • 90 to 92
  • 87 to 89
  • Under 87

Year by year

  1. 202491 out of 100, my score
  2. 202391 out of 100, my score
  3. 202291 out of 100, my score
  4. 202194 out of 100, my score
  5. 202091 out of 100, my score
  6. 201992 out of 100, my score
  7. 201890 out of 100, my score
  8. 201789 out of 100, my score
  9. 201694 out of 100, my score
  10. 201593 out of 100, my score
  11. 201487 out of 100, my score
  12. 201393 out of 100, my score
  13. 201291 out of 100, my score
  14. 201191 out of 100, my score
  15. 201094 out of 100, my score
  16. 200993 out of 100, my score
  17. 200890 out of 100, my score
  18. 200794 out of 100, my score
  19. 200693 out of 100, my score
  20. 200591 out of 100, my score
  21. 200493 out of 100, my score
  22. 200386 out of 100, my score
  23. 200280 out of 100, my score
  24. 200191 out of 100, my score
  25. 200089 out of 100, my score
  26. 199989 out of 100, my score
  27. 199889 out of 100, my score
  28. 1997
  29. 1996
  30. 1995
  31. 1994
  32. 1993
  33. 1992
  34. 1991
  35. 1990
  36. 1989
  37. 1988
  38. 1987
  39. 1986
  40. 1985
  41. 1984
  42. 1983
Sources: Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, Amarone vintage evaluation in stars, 1983 to 2016 (PDF); Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, vintage history.

Umbria

Montefalco Sagrantino

1975 to 2024

The Montefalco consorzio rates Sagrantino vintages back to 1975 on a five star scale, and since 2017 it has also given each one a score out of 100. The descriptions are my summaries of its notes on each harvest from 2005.

Montefalco Sagrantino

At a glance

  1. 202492 out of 100
  2. 202390 out of 100
  3. 202291 out of 100
  4. 202193 out of 100
  5. 202095 out of 100
  6. 201994 out of 100
  7. 201891 out of 100
  8. 201789 out of 100
  9. 201691 out of 100
  10. 201590 out of 100
  11. 201486 out of 100
  12. 201390 out of 100
  13. 201290 out of 100
  14. 201191 out of 100
  15. 201093 out of 100
  16. 200992 out of 100
  17. 200891 out of 100
  18. 200792 out of 100
  19. 200692 out of 100
  20. 200591 out of 100
  21. 200493 out of 100
  22. 200392 out of 100
  23. 200286 out of 100
  24. 200190 out of 100
  25. 200091 out of 100
  26. 199991 out of 100
  27. 199895 out of 100
  28. 199794 out of 100
  • 96 to 100
  • 93 to 95
  • 90 to 92
  • 87 to 89
  • Under 87

Year by year

Consorzio stars: 1 Poor, 2 Fair, 3 Fine, 4 Excellent, 5 Exceptional.

  1. 202492 out of 100, my score
  2. 202390 out of 100, my score
  3. 202291 out of 100, my score
    92/100
    A dry winter and a very dry summer from May, with a hot July, then milder mid summer weather with some rain. Sagrantino was picked on its usual schedule and made intense wines that stay balanced.
  4. 202193 out of 100, my score
    94/100
    A cold winter, early April frost that barely touched Sagrantino and a rainy spring, then a very hot, dry summer that cut yields. Cooler October weather helped, for wines of structure and good acidity built to age.
  5. 202095 out of 100, my score
    96/100
    A mild, dry winter, a spring cold snap with frost and hail in places, then a wet May and June that stored water for a hot July. A cooler end to August and a dry late September brought in healthy, balanced grapes.
  6. 201994 out of 100, my score
    95/100
    A slow start after a dry winter, heavy rain in April and May, then heat in late June and early July and useful storms in early September. A dry harvest ran to late October, for balanced, fine wines with bright acidity.
  7. 201891 out of 100, my score
    92/100
    Cooler than 2017 with no heat peaks, a rainy April and May, and a dry, breezy end to the season into mid October. The consorzio described classic Sagrantino with fine tannins and ageing potential.
  8. 201789 out of 100, my score
    88/100
    April frost, then a torrid, dry summer, one of the hottest and driest in years, with 40 percent less wine than 2016. Healthy grapes, ripe tannins and slightly low acidity made powerful, warm but balanced wines.
  9. 201691 out of 100, my score
    A mild, wet winter refilled the soils after 2015, and spring and summer brought heat with well spaced rain. The consorzio called it a classic great vintage, less ready on release but with a long future.
  10. 201590 out of 100, my score
    A rainy winter, a sunny, breezy spring and a hot, dry summer that made disease easy to control. Autumn rain refreshed acidity before harvest, and the consorzio expected an exceptional vintage.
  11. 201486 out of 100, my score
    A rainy, cool summer made protecting the vines very difficult, but good weather through ripening and harvest favoured late varieties like Sagrantino. Thinner skins and lower polyphenols than usual, with floral, cherry scented wines.
  12. 201390 out of 100, my score
    Heavy winter rain and a cool spring slowed the vines and reduced the crop, followed by a normal summer. Late but good ripening, and excellent quality where vineyards were well managed.
  13. 201290 out of 100, my score
    Very little water all year, spring frosts in April and May, and a hot, dry summer with hot wind in late August. Cool September and October weather completed ripening, and it was an excellent year for Sagrantino.
  14. 201191 out of 100, my score
    Timely spring rain, then hot, dry weather through summer to mid October for very good, slightly early ripening. Excellent grapes and structured wines with long ageing potential.
  15. 201093 out of 100, my score
    A warm, wet winter left budbreak 10 to 15 days late, and summer stayed cool until mid August. Warmer weather into October caught up most of the delay; lower alcohol than recent years, and very good results on the best sites.
  16. 200992 out of 100, my score
    A fairly regular year, with a cool, wet start to summer followed by hot, dry weather into October. Very good overall.
  17. 200891 out of 100, my score
    A mild, dry winter and a cool, rainy spring delayed the season, and veraison ran about two weeks late. North winds in late September and early October kept the grapes perfectly healthy; excellent, particularly for Sagrantino.
  18. 200792 out of 100, my score
    Extremely hot, in some ways like 2003, though the consorzio found the wines more balanced and aromatic. High sugar meant long fermentations and wines of big structure.
  19. 200692 out of 100, my score
    A cold, dry winter, a mild spring, and a cool, wet July and August, then a warm, dry September into October. Very good ripening on warm slopes and less on cool ones, for fine, elegant wines with a little less structure than hot years.
  20. 200591 out of 100, my score
    A hot, dry season to the end of July, then a cool, wet August to October. The early stress concentrated the grapes and the later cool weather helped aroma, for wines of considerable power.
  21. 200493 out of 100, my score
  22. 200392 out of 100, my score
  23. 200286 out of 100, my score
  24. 200190 out of 100, my score
  25. 200091 out of 100, my score
  26. 199991 out of 100, my score
  27. 199895 out of 100, my score
  28. 199794 out of 100, my score
  29. 1996
  30. 1995
  31. 1994
  32. 1993
  33. 1992
  34. 1991
  35. 1990
  36. 1989
  37. 1988
  38. 1987
  39. 1986
  40. 1985
  41. 1984
  42. 1983
  43. 1982
  44. 1981
  45. 1980
  46. 1979
  47. 1978
  48. 1977
  49. 1976
  50. 1975
Sources: Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco, vintage ratings and harvest notes.

Lombardy

Franciacorta

1974 to 2024

Franciacorta's consorzio keeps a history of every harvest back to 1974, and its rating system has changed along the way: words only until 1991, a score out of 5 from 1992, separate quality and quantity scores from 2016 to 2018, and a quantity score only since 2019. Each year shows the rating exactly as the consorzio published it. The descriptions are my summaries of its notes.

Franciacorta

At a glance

  1. 202490 out of 100
  2. 202391 out of 100
  3. 202292 out of 100
  4. 202192 out of 100
  5. 202092 out of 100
  6. 201995 out of 100
  7. 201891 out of 100
  8. 201789 out of 100
  9. 201692 out of 100
  10. 201590 out of 100
  11. 201486 out of 100
  12. 201390 out of 100
  13. 201292 out of 100
  14. 201191 out of 100
  15. 201092 out of 100
  16. 200993 out of 100
  17. 200890 out of 100
  18. 200792 out of 100
  19. 200691 out of 100
  20. 200589 out of 100
  21. 200490 out of 100
  22. 200389 out of 100
  23. 200288 out of 100
  24. 200190 out of 100
  25. 200088 out of 100
  26. 199991 out of 100
  27. 199887 out of 100
  28. 199791 out of 100
  • 96 to 100
  • 93 to 95
  • 90 to 92
  • 87 to 89
  • Under 87

Year by year

  1. 202490 out of 100, my score
    Quantity 3 of 5
  2. 202391 out of 100, my score
    Quantity 5 of 5
    A dry, warm start, then a wet April to June with 19 rainy days in May against an average of nine, and heavy downy mildew pressure. Picking was concentrated in the second half of August, later than it had been for years, for wines of moderate sugar and great freshness.
  3. 202292 out of 100, my score
    Quantity 3½ of 5
    Very little rain, less than half the recent average in the first six months, and a July far hotter than usual. Two localised hailstorms, very healthy vines, and a smaller crop picked from 1 August.
  4. 202192 out of 100, my score
    Quantity 3 of 5
    A moderate frost on 6 to 8 April, a wet May, poor fruit set in a cold flowering, then drought until heavy rain and hail on 25 July.
  5. 202092 out of 100, my score
    Quantity 4½ of 5
    A sunny, dry spring, the coolest June in five years, then a dry, breezy July with wide day and night swings. Harvest began on 10 August.
  6. 201995 out of 100, my score
    Quantity 3 of 5
    A cold, very wet April and May delayed flowering and caused poor fruit set, especially in Pinot, followed by a very dry June and July. Rain at the end of July eased the water stress, and picking began on 10 August.
  7. 201891 out of 100, my score
    Quality 4 of 5, quantity 5 of 5
    A normal start, then far more rain than usual from May to July with violent storms. Stable, warm weather from late July ripened a very large crop close to the legal limit.
  8. 201789 out of 100, my score
    Quality 4 of 5, quantity 1 of 5
    Marked by a frost on the night of 18 to 19 April, an event this late and this severe that happens less than once every forty years, which cost 49 percent of the crop. Vineyards the frost missed had a smooth, high quality season.
  9. 201692 out of 100, my score
    Quality 4½ of 5, quantity 2½ of 5
    Rain and cold at flowering caused poor fruit set, and May and June were the wettest of the decade, with real losses to downy mildew. A cool August with wide temperature swings produced base wines of good to excellent quality and high acidity.
  10. 201590 out of 100, my score
    3½ of 5
    The least rainy April to August in years, and a hot July. A short, concentrated harvest from early August, yields 5 to 10 percent below expectations, and wines leaning to structure and complexity.
  11. 201486 out of 100, my score
    3½ of 5
    A warm March brought an early budbreak, but rain and cold spells from June through the summer slowed ripening and threatened grape health. Strict sorting took yields well below the legal limit.
  12. 201390 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    The coldest, wettest spring in ten years, a cold snap at flowering and a localised grape moth attack. Remembered as the first September harvest in many years, after very slow ripening.
  13. 201292 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    Budbreak spread over weeks, a cool, rainy spring and poor fruit set, then heat from late July that caught up the delay. Picking began around 10 to 12 August.
  14. 201191 out of 100, my score
    5 of 5
    A warm spring and a cool, rainy summer with warm days and cool nights gave slow ripening and excellent base wines. It was the first time in Italy that an appellation was allowed to set aside reserve wine from a harvest.
  15. 201092 out of 100, my score
    3½ of 5
    A cold, rainy May and a very wet July delayed the season and tested disease control. Harvest weather was ideal, with good acidity, and the best results came from lean soils and hillsides.
  16. 200993 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    A regular, warm season with timely rain and no water stress or disease. Healthy, crisp grapes with moderate sugar, good acidity and low pH.
  17. 200890 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    A cold, dull spring delayed budbreak about 15 days, and frequent spring rain reduced fruit set. The rest of the season supported the vines well, with very good quality in several areas.
  18. 200792 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    A very mild winter brought budbreak about 20 days early, followed by a regular, slightly cool summer. Long ripening gave good acidity and aroma, with fresh notes from cool nights before harvest.
  19. 200691 out of 100, my score
    4½ of 5
    A regular spring and a very dry start to summer, similar to 2003, until August rain restored the balance. Stable weather from mid August with night swings of up to ten degrees kept freshness and aroma.
  20. 200589 out of 100, my score
    5 of 5
    Changeable until flowering, then dry, sunny weather with good day and night swings to the end of August. Good sugar with little loss of acidity; the consorzio called it a great vintage year.
  21. 200490 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    Days never too hot and cool nights preserved aroma, and yields returned to normal after two small crops. Base wines of fine acidity and clearly different character from zone to zone.
  22. 200389 out of 100, my score
    3 of 5
    Very little rain for nine months and summer heat above normal brought a very early harvest. Excellent grape health, high sugar, lower yields and full bodied wines.
  23. 200288 out of 100, my score
    3½ of 5
    A harsh, dry winter, poor fruit set in a cold, wet flowering, and a cool, rainy summer with some hail. Below average quantity, with a sugar to acid balance suited to long ageing on the lees.
  24. 200190 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    Cool and wet until fruit set, then hot and very dry from veraison. Clean base wines with intense, fine aromas and an excellent sugar to acid balance.
  25. 200088 out of 100, my score
    3 of 5
    Cool and dry before veraison, then very hot, dry and windy until picking began on 18 August. An excellent sugar to acid balance and base wines of good body.
  26. 199991 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    A normal season with just two August hailstorms, which did no harm to quality. Base wines with fine perfume, good acidity and complexity.
  27. 199887 out of 100, my score
    4 of 5
    Slow early growth, a very rainy summer and violent hail before flowering in exposed spots. Low yields that varied widely, and good quality overall.
  28. 199791 out of 100, my score
    5 of 5. Very good, vintage year
    No damaging weather or pests, a dry, warm spring and a breezy summer that never got too hot. High acidity, good sugar and very fine wines.
  29. 1996
    3½ of 5. Close to very good, vintage year
    A summer that never got too hot, little damaging weather and slightly early ripening. Pleasant, harmonious wines.
  30. 1995
    5 of 5. Exceptional, first DOCG vintage year
    Low yields, a long summer and an early harvest. Fresh wines with structure and persistent perfume, and the first vintage year of the DOCG.
  31. 1994
    4 of 5. Excellent
    Below average yields, a hot, dry summer and a slightly late harvest. Base wines with good acidity and fine perfume.
  32. 1993
    4 of 5. Excellent, vintage year
    A normal crop, early ripening and a dry summer, with the harvest in before heavy rain in the second half of September. Fragrant, fruity, balanced wines. The consorzio publishes the same description for 1992.
  33. 1992
    4 of 5. Excellent, vintage year
    A normal crop, early ripening and a dry summer, with the harvest in before heavy rain in the second half of September. Fragrant, fruity, balanced wines. The consorzio publishes the same description for 1993.
  34. 1991
    Excellent, vintage year
    A fair crop of healthy, ripe grapes, with average temperatures around 22 degrees in the first two thirds of September. Fresh, fruity wines with floral aromas.
  35. 1990
    Exceptional, historic vintage year
    A normal crop of healthy grapes with high natural sugar, and ideal, steady weather all through September. Aromatic, elegant wines.
  36. 1989
    Fair
    A good crop of healthy grapes with high acidity, and well spread rain, slightly heavier in late September.
  37. 1988
    Exceptional, historic vintage year
    A small crop of healthy grapes, and nearly ideal sunny weather around 18 degrees all September for slow, perfect ripening. Wines of marked personality.
  38. 1987
    Good
    A small crop, little rain and September temperatures of 20 to 23 degrees, above the seasonal average. Delicately fresh, savoury wines.
  39. 1986
    Fair
    An abundant crop of fairly healthy grapes, with ideal temperatures and little rain in September. Wines without great character, in the consorzio's words.
  40. 1985
    Excellent
    A normal crop of very healthy grapes, normal temperatures and a little rain in mid September. Harmonious, well structured wines with ripe fruit.
  41. 1984
    Exceptional, historic vintage year
    A normal crop with high acidity, and cool September temperatures of 15 to 16 degrees that gave freshness and elegance.
  42. 1983
    Good
    An abundant crop of very healthy grapes, light rain early in September and long sunny days at the end. Strongly floral wines.
  43. 1982
    Very good
    A good crop of perfectly healthy grapes, and a dry September around 20 degrees with low humidity. Very fine, elegant wines.
  44. 1981
    Very good
    A normal crop, well spread rain and steady temperatures of 18 to 20 degrees through September. Fruity, fresh wines with good balance.
  45. 1980
    Good
    A normal crop of healthy grapes, little rain and September averages of 18 to 21 degrees. Balanced, strongly aromatic wines.
  46. 1979
    Excellent, vintage year
    A normal crop, an early harvest and a dry, cool September. Harmonious, structured wines with persistent aromas.
  47. 1978
    Good
    A normal crop of healthy grapes with good acidity, little rain in late September and ideal temperatures. Delicate, fine, aromatic wines.
  48. 1977
    Fair
    A normal crop with high acidity, heavy rain, and temperatures falling from 22 degrees early in September to 13 at the end. Moderately aromatic wines.
  49. 1976
    Poor
    An abundant crop, too much rain and below average temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees. Short wines lacking finesse.
  50. 1975
    Adequate
    A good crop and a late harvest. Ethereal wines without much persistence.
  51. 1974
    Very good
    A normal crop of healthy grapes, well spread rain, and a warm first half of September turning cooler late. Wines rich in ripe fruit with excellent structure.
Sources: Consorzio per la tutela del Franciacorta, harvest history.