2018 Bartolo Mascarello "Art Label" Barolo

Maria Teresa Mascarello believes in the Barolo Classico - a blend of grapes from different vineyards - telling me she "likes balance from the different vineyards even more so in these conditions of climate change." The 2018 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo takes a while to really open and reveal itself but when it does it has a beautiful array of wildflower aromas with red cherry, violet, iris, and rose notes. It is delicate, yet richly perfumed and fragrant, like a garden of flowers after the rain. On the palate it is super-silky with a lace-like covering of flavors which are fragile but persistent. There is a light grip to the elegant, upright tannins followed by mouth-watering acidity, giving a lively, vivid finish. It is a transparent, vibrant, and beautiful wine. (SH)

Lush and pure, the 2018 Barolo is a medium and transparent ruby hue, with aromas of fresh roses, wet stone, and ripe raspberry. This medium-bodied red is luxurious. with a silky and viscous texture and generous notes of ripe red cherry, warming cardamom spice, and soft earth. Elegant and long through the palate, with no harshness, it is drinking beautifully now or will continue to drink well over the next 15 years. Fermentation saw 45 days on the skins with a submerged cap. (AF)