Bartolo Mascarello

The tiny, five-hectare estate of Bartolo Mascarello has a reputation disproportionate to its size. Renowned for its elegant, traditionally-styled wines, this is one of the very best addresses in Barolo. Antonio Galloni is a big fan, calling the wines “very pretty, Burgundian-inflected”, and “distinguished for their exceptional purity and delineation”.

Proprietor Maria Theresa Mascarello has always been a follower of tradition. She believes firmly in the historic custom of blending across sites. She makes just one Barolo, using grapes from Cannubi and San Lorenzo in the Barolo, and from Rocche dell’Annuziata in La Morra.

In the winery, fermentation takes place without added yeasts or temperature control in wood and cement vessels and lasts for 3-4 weeks. The wines are then matured for three years in 25 hectolitre Slavonian oak, followed by a further year in bottle before release. The wines are notable for their exceptional perfume and finesse.

The transparency of the style at Bartolo Mascarello is such that the specificity of each vintage shines through in the wines. They are well worth a look in all vintages. Only 1,250 bottles of each vintage are made.