At a glance

Producer

Bartolo Mascarello

Region

Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$350 - $450 per 750ml bottle (retail, 2024)

Tasting profile

Dominated by firm dry tannins, savory dried herbs, roses, tar, red cherry, and subtle earthiness; structure is tight and austere

Evolution: With age, tannins will soften, tertiary aromas of leather, truffle, forest floor, and tobacco will become more pronounced; fruit will evolve to more dried and complex character

At peak: At peak, the wine will display elegant complexity, silky texture, integrated tannins, rich dried cherry, rose petal, and mineral nuances with balanced acidity and long finish

Structure

Acidity

High acidity providing excellent backbone for aging and freshness over decades

Tannins

Firm, dense and powerful with fine grain; typical for Barolo Cannubi and Bartolo Mascarello style

Alcohol

Moderate to slightly elevated (~14-14.5%), well integrated

Aging potential

Long-term aging potential of 25+ years from vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2048

Optimal window

2026 to 2051

Current status

Needs aging, not yet at peak

Current condition

Very youthful with firm tannins and vibrant acidity; tannins still resolving

Peak between 2028-2038 is based on Bartolo Mascarello's traditional, age-worthy style and the 2016 vintage's strong reputation as a classic, balanced, structured vintage. Tannins and acidity need time to harmonize and reach full complexity. Past peak, the wine may soften further but start to lose some freshness and primary fruit intensity.

Food pairing

Pairs excellently with rich northern Italian cuisine such as braised beef, osso buco, truffle risotto, wild game, aged cheeses, mushrooms, and dishes with hearty sauces. As wine ages, it pairs well with more savory, earthy dishes like mushroom ragù or aged cured meats.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften the firm tannins and allow aromatic development; helps open the wine for drinking now or in near future

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Traditional viticulture methods with emphasis on low intervention; estate bottles very limited and carefully produced

Bartolo Mascarello’s approach is artisanal with natural processes; no formal organic or biodynamic certifications but sustainable in practice through minimal intervention and respect for terroir