Bartolo Mascarello - Barolo 2020 (Pre-arrival) (750ml)
Kerin O'Keefe: 97 Points
To be released this fall the gorgeous 2020 Barolo from Maria Teresa Mascarello is a fantastic expression of the vintage starting with its enticing aromas of perfumed berry rose and culinary spice. Full-bodied and generous the enveloping palate doles out ripe raspberry star anise crushed mint and blood orange seamlessly supported by well-integrated polished tannins. Made with Nebbiolo from five vineyards including the estate?s San Lorenzo cru for the first time since 2014 after it was grubbed up in 2015 and replanted in 2017 it has great succulent fruit balance structure and depth. Drink 2026?2035. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O?Keefe July 2024 ©kerinokeefe.com
Decanter: 97 Points
In the blend of Maria Teresa Mascarello's Barolo 2020 the replanted San Lorenzo vineyard makes a comeback with a small portion of young-vine fruit. It was harvested on 2 October while the rest (from Rocche dell'Annunziata and Cannubi) was picked from 4-8 October after the rain. The result is a wine with a backdrop of very fresh redcurranty fruits violets deep spices including liquorice root as well as hints of linden almost camphor and wild strawberry. A defined expression demonstrating a lot of maturity and savouriness. Tasted by: Aldo Fiordelli (at Alba Piedmont 28 Mar 2024) Part of Barolo 2020: A 'ready to drink' vintage Drinking Window: 2024 - 204
vJames Suckling: 97 Points
This vintage is extremely floral offering restrained violets linden tree camphor and balsamic tones and fresh redcurrants. On the full-bodied palate there is great licorice-stick flavor with refreshing lifted acidity and firm velvety tannins that are savory and ripe. Bright expression of Barolo full of detail more elegant than powerful. Drinkable now but best after 5 years.
Vinous: 94 Points
The 2020 Barolo is a very pretty delicate wine. Crushed red berry fruit mint spice tobacco and dried flowers are all nicely lifted. Medium in body with fine tannins the 2020 is impeccably balanced. Today the 2020 comes across as understated gracious and classy in a style that is more delicate than it is powerful. Tasted next to the 2019 the 2020 appears to have a bit more mid-palate resonance that is not fully expressive at this stage. This spent 55 days on the skins including a period of submerged-cap maceration. - By Antonio Galloni on November 2023 Maria Teresa Mascarello describes 2020 as a year with a warm early spring then good rains in May and June and a warm summer with no heat spikes. The Nebbiolo harvest took place from October 2 to October 8. Mascarello gave her 2020 55 days on the skins with submerged cap maceration the approach she uses for better vintages. At this stage I find the 2020 a bit closed certainly more so than how the wine showed in barrel. It will be interesting to see how that wine develops in the coming years. Although Barolo is clearly the star here Mascarello's entry-level offerings are every bit as compelling to this taster.
