ll producers are extremely satisfied. Climatic conditions were ideal with rain in the springtime (especially in April and May) and the summer was cool, ventilated and with moderate rains. September and October were dry with an ideal temperature range between day and night. Therefore, the vines had a good water reserve and ripening of the clusters was complete. Harvest had a more “normal” timing in comparison to the previous years. There was a strong vegetative growth and high production: in 2004 careful vineyard management was particularly important. In general berries were large and yield in must was high. Good results were obtained by growers who performed correct green pruning and cluster thinning, in order to contain production, and removed excess foliage for better ventilation. 2004 wines are in general elegant, with intense colour, aromatic, balanced, well-structured, with a good acidity content and good alcohol percentage, tannins are soft. Most producers consider 2004 wine suitable for long aging.

Castiglion Falletto: “The best vintage of the last 8-10 years! 2004 can be compared to 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001” (Enrico Scavino owner of Azienda Agricola Paolo Scavino). Nebbiolo grapes were harvested from the 15t h till the end of October.

Monforte: ” 2004 is a great vintage. It is similar to 2001 as far as structure and freshness of the wines go. ….2004 reminds one of 1989, 1985 and 1982….”
(Massimo Conterno assistant to Domenico Clerico owner of Azienda Agricola Domenico Clerico). “2004 is an excellent vintage and 2004 Barolo will be a great wine. In August nobody expected such a great harvest as it rained a lot especially in springtime. But then September and October were dry with an ideal temperature range between day and night” (Riccardo Seghesio co-owner of Azienda Agricola Aldo e Riccardo Seghesio). Grapes were harvested from mid September till mid October.

La Morra: “2004 was an extraordinary harvest and at the same time a simple harvest…….This is a vintage for elegant wines, not for big wines, the wines are superb and extremely well balanced. A wine is a great wine when it is simple.”
(Elio Altare owner of Azienda Agricola Elio Altare) “2004 harvest was later than 2003 and its timing was more in the norm in comparison to previous years……grapes had an optimal ripening (polyphenolic ripening was complete) and the resulting wines have an excellent quality, they are fresh, tannins are supple, and colour is good” (Mauro Molino owner of Azienda Agricola Mauro A
Molino). Harvest in this area started with Dolcetto grapes (17-20 September) and ended around the 20t h of October with Nebbiolo grapes.

Barolo: “….Ripening was slow and even, therefore wines are supple, with sweet tannins, are very well balanced, aromatic, with a good alcohol percentage and a normal acidity content. I am very happy about this vintage!” (Ferruccio Grimaldi of Azienda Agricola Grimaldi Giacomo). Harvest started on the 20t h of September with Dolcetto.

Serralunga: “….due to the strong vegetative growth cluster thinning had to be carried out several times. Wines have intense colour and aroma” (Giampaolo Pira of Azienda Agricola Pira Luigi & Figli). Nebbiolo grapes were harvested from the 10t h till the 20t h of October.

Barbaresco: “2004 is an extremely positive vintage…. In April-May there was a lot of rain, for the first time in 34 years of work I had to spray the vines with a shoulder pump as the ground was too wet for a tractor! The summer was cool and there wasn’t much rain. Water reserve for the vines was ideal. September was dry and ventilated with an optimal temperature range between day and night (during the day approx. 27° Celsius and 10°C at night). All these factors make one foresee a great vintage, wines rich in colour and aromas. 2004 is similar to 2001, although ripening of clusters was later.” (Sergio Minuto owner of Azienda Agricola Moccagatta). “…..where cluster thinning was properly done (as is normal practice at La Spinetta), quality was excellent. 2004 wines have a good alcohol percentage, great colour, soft tannins and they are well-structured. These wines are extremely balanced and with great aromas. They have all the components for long aging” (Pinuccio Gatti agronomist of Azienda agricola La Spinetta). Harvest started with Moscato grapes on the 10t h of September followed by Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Barbera. Nebbiolo grapes were harvested from the 7t h till the 15t h of October.

Roero: “2004 wines will be well-balanced with very good quality, more intense colour than the previous vintages, intense aromas. Polyphenolic ripening was perfect. Nebbiolo has a very long vegetative cycle which could be completed properly”. (Ornella Correggia owner of Azienda Agricola Matteo Correggia). Harvest started on the 20t h of September with Sauvignon Blanc, it continued with Arneis (27t h of September) and it ended with the harvesting of Nebbiolo grapes on the 18t h of October.

Gattinara: “2004 was an excellent harvest as far as quantity and quality are concerned. September was extraordinary (we cannot remember such a warm September)….Maybe 2004 is similar to 1990 (although the wines of this vintage did not have such an intense colour)…..Timing of harvest went back to the normal timing of the seventies and eighties: Nebbiolo starting on the 7-8t h of October, Erbaluce grapes in September” (Alberto Zoppis of Azienda Agricola Antoniolo).
Romagnano Sesia (Ghemme DOCG): “…..Good results, wines have lower alcohol percentage than 2003 (that was a very hot year), they are well-balanced, aromatic, with intense colour. Good vineyard management was essential (cluster thinning)….” (Giorgio Ioppa of Azienda Agricola F.lli Ioppa). Harvest was completed on the 26t h of October.

Dogliani: “Wines have it all: balance, good structure, the same alcoholic percentage of 2003. All the characteristics of a great vintage…” (Mario Boschis of Azienda Agricola Francesco Boschis). Dolcetto was harvested on the 26t h of September (a week later than the previous vintages).