Barolo, Piedmont
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The Mascarello family has been growing grapes in Piedmont for more than a century. First for local rulers, and by the turn of the 20th century they were already focusing on their own vineyards.
The estate as we know it today was founded by Giuseppe Mascarello back in the 19th century, and in 1904 the most important vineyard for the producer to this day, Monprivato, was acquired.
Monprivato is one of the crus in Barolo, a very important site for the region. It benefits from a southwestern exposure, a good slope and limestone soils that are excellent for nebbiolo. The Mascarello family runs the vineyard without undue intervention, and winemaking here is quite traditional, with long maceration and extended maturation in bottle.
The 2013 incarnation of Monprivato is aromatic, well structured, with a firm structure and a crisp, fairly dense body. Lots of acidity and, of course, plenty of firm tannins that will mellow with age. A wine definitely calculated for the long haul: it develops slowly in the glass, showing more and more of its rich bouquet. The classic notes of nebbiolo seem somehow fuller and stronger in it.
Definitely one of the top addresses in Piedmont, in a great way. Not only for fans of the region.
