Professional Reviews
Antonio Galloni
AG
98
"Maria Teresa Mascarello made one of the wines of the vintage in 2016. Her 2016 Barolo is soft and sensual, but also quite hushed - as many wines are in this vintage in the early going. Medium in body with silky tannins and exceptional balance, the 2016 has so much to offer, but it is also going to require quite a bit of time to be at its very best. Just after bottling, the 2016 was more generous and rich, but it is decidedly closed today. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle before age ten, and even that will be early for a super-classic Barolo. Rose petal, mint, crushed flowers, anise and blood orange develop with time in the glass, but the 2016 is a Barolo for readers who can afford to be patient." -Vinous
Robert Parker
RP
100
"This is the stuff of dreams. The Bartolo Mascarello 2016 Barolo is a true icon of the vintage. The approach is elongated and silky, like lifting honey from a jar. The aromas are chiseled and focused with wild berry, licorice, candied orange peel, campfire ash, rusted iron, crushed graphite and pencil shaving. The wine's personality is downplayed, elegant and demure in one tasting but exuberant and expressive in the next. The tannins show snap and crunch, indicating they will drive the wine forward over many years of cellar age. This is one of those rare wines that is poised to improve with each increment of time. Structurally, it is perfect. If we were to create a template for an aspirational Barolo, this would be it."
Jancis Robinson
JR
18
"Great purity, lift and focus with cherry and raspberry fruit. Great freshness. Compact raspberry fruit with energetic, long tannins and a build-up of perfumed red fruit on the finish."
Decanter
D
99
"This legendary Barolo has traditionally been a blend of the estate’s plots in Canubbi, Ruè, Rocche dell’Annunziata and San Lorenzo. In 2015, the latter was pulled out and prepared for replanting. Coincidentally, in the same year, owners of a small, well-exposed Nebbiolo parcel neighbouring Mascarello’s Dolcetto holdings in Monrobiolo di Bussia offered it for rent, essentially making up the shortfall. The 2016 is so effortlessly seamless it is almost a shame to tease apart. Understated in its beauty, the nose slowly doles out successive fragrances of rose, raspberry, white pepper and rosehip. Expanding graciously across the palate, it distributes velvety, finely powdered tannins that are still compact and will take years to dissolve. But it is the underlying vibrant energy that drives this wine. Hints of blood orange and lavender linger on finish."
Wine Spectator
WS
97
"Sleek and stylish, with a supple texture that meshes with the firm yet ripe tannins, providing the backdrop for floral, cherry, currant, earth and tobacco flavors. Stays vibrant and fresh on the resonant finish, with terrific harmony and energy."
Wine Enthusiast
WE
99
"Focused and fragrant, this striking red offers enticing perfumes recalling violet, rose, red berry and menthol. Showing extreme elegance, energy and precision, the palate doles out succulent cherry, raspberry, orange zest and star anise while a sprinkling of white pepper graces the lingering finish. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity provide wonderful balance."
