Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 2018

Tasted this week with the importer. I have been in awe of this wine since the first time I had it – a bottle of vintage 2014 a few years ago. Since then, despite fluctuations in the perceived quality of recent vintages, the wine has never fallen short of being totally captivating. From the taut, structured and energetic 2016, to the pretty and fragrant 2017 that defied that hot vintage and now, to the 2018. This wine achieves what other great reds of the world achieve: intensity and presence with featherweight lightness. Very much in the red fruit spectrum, with orange peel, mandarin zest and amaro-like botanicals, it’s a Barolo that certainly sits at the elegant end of Baroli. Due to this, and to the lighter nature of wines coming out of this vintage, the wine is totally approachable already. It will age fantastically well over the next decade, but don’t be afraid to drink it young. – Ches Cook, FWC.

The Giuseppe Mascarello 2018 Barolo Monprivato reveals an open and accessible personality. This wine is an immediate charmer. I tasted these wines with the Mascarello family seated across the table from me, and during our chat, they explained that this was a gratifying vintage in terms of farming and winemaking. The growing season was not too hot, and high alcohol levels were not an issue, they say. In the case of this wine, we are greeted to mild tannins and a pretty bouquet with delicate floral notes, smoke and tar. Drink 2025-2045. 95 Points. Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate.