Vinous (91)

The 2015 Barbera d'Alba brings together the sumptuous personality of the year with a very classic sense of structure. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice and floral notes abound in this fleshy, voluptuous Barbera. Drink it over the next decade.

Vinous (93)

The 2016 Barbera d'Alba is fabulous. Rich in its first impression, but sustained by terrific energy, the 2016 is all finesse. Rose petal, lavender, mint and dark red and purplish fruit develop in the glass, but more than anything else, the 2016 is a super-classic, mid-weight Barbera that will thrill readers who enjoy traditionally made wines.

Vinous (95)

The 2020 Barbera d'Alba is outrageously beautiful. Rich, pliant and expressive, the 2020 races across the palate with stunning depth. Plush and sumptuous, the 2020 is fabulous to drink now for its primary fruit, but it should also age gracefully. The 2020 is sublime. Red purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, blood orange and mint linger on the creamy, textured finish.

Vinous (98)

The 2008 Barolo is once again superb. The striking aromatics that are so typical of the year make a strong first impression. Delicate and silky on the palate, yet also deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2008 is pure seduction. A hint of grip from the tannins appears on the finish, but with some air, the 2008 is quite open. It will be interesting to see if the 2008 ever goes into a shell. Thus far, it has remained surprisingly open for a young Barolo from a cool, late-ripening vintage.

Vinous (100)

From the moment we put together this tasting, I knew the 2010 Barolo had to be in the lineup because of its historical significance. It is arguably the greatest wine ever made here. Although naturally very young, the 2010 is super-expressive and also one of the clear highlights of the evening. All the elements simply fall into place. The interplay of aromatics, fruit and structure is utterly captivating. In many ways, the 2010 represents a culmination of all the work Maria Teresa Mascarello and her team have done over the last two decades to elevate quality. The gentleman to my left tells me I made a mistake in my initial review and score of the 2010. I agree.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2011 Barolo is a very expressive wine with more determination and muscle than you usually get in the wines of Bartolo Mascarello. The bouquet opens to plush flavors of red fruit and cherry with grilled herb, tobacco and mineral delineation. Its structure is yielding and round and the finish is ripe with soft fruit flavors. Make no mistake, it doles out complexity and an ethereal sense of balsam herb, cola and licorice that is the hallmark of this historic estate with a tiny garage winery in the town of Barolo. The alcohol reading here is 14.5% compared to 14% in the 2010 vintage.

Vinous (95)

We start with the 2012 Barolo from Bartolo Mascarello, which is everything I expect. Perfumed, gracious and utterly sublime, the 2012 is all nuance. It is a real treat to taste and drink after two weeks of tasting embryonic six-month-old Bordeaux. It is also absolutely gorgeous with some of the lighter first courses on the menu. I can see the bewildered faces of my guests, all them native or adopted Bordeaux locals. “How can a wine be so light and yet deliver so much depth and persistence?” That, in a nutshell is what Nebbiolo is all about.

Vinous (98+)

Maria Teresa's 2013 Barolo is a stunning, drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Vibrant, crystalline and exceptionally nuanced, the 2013 speaks to elegance above all else. There is an exotic quality to the aromatics that adds to the wine's total sense of seduction. As captivating as the 2013 is today, there is no shortage of underlying grip and structure. Dark cherry, plum, spice, menthol and licorice are some of the many notes that grace the palate. But the 2013 is a wine of completeness rather than elements. And the 2013 simply has it all. In 2013, Mascarello opted for short-ish fermentation with limited post-fermentation maceration because the skins were a bit fragile. The result is a delicate wine that shows just how finessed young Barolo can be.

Vinous (94+)

Maria Teresa Mascarello's 2014 Barolo has put on a good bit of weight since I first tasted it, yet it remains nervous, tightly wound and compact - which is to say, very much in the style of the year. Time in the glass brings out a host of bright red cherry, pomegranate, mint, leather and orange peel nuances, but only with reluctance. The 2014 is a positively electric Barolo, but it likely won't be ready to charm anytime soon. Readers should plan on cellaring it for at least a handful of years. Sadly, production is down by 40%.

Wine Advocate (100)

This is the stuff of dreams. Tasted so young, I did a lot of coaxing to nudge the wine along, thanks to a double decant and a few extra hours in an open bottle. I tasted both samples I had over the course of a few weeks. Those efforts served well, but the wine remains packed tight and full of nervous energy regardless, indicating that its true potential won't be seen for another 10 or 20 years, or likely more. 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.

Wine Advocate (96)

Showing a light ruby shine that radiates from the glass, the Bartolo Mascarello 2017 Barolo proves once again that elegance can be achieved, despite the many challenges of an extreme vintage, when worked by the right hands. In this case, the hands are those of Bartolo's daughter, the legendary Maria Teresa Mascarello. This celebrated Barolo boasts a silky sheen and glossy character that transcends bouquet and mouthfeel. Wild cherry, lilac, iron ore and candied orange peel are revealed softly on the bouquet. The wine takes a few minutes to open before all those pretty little details come into view. Acidity is an important component of this graceful Barolo, as it ties together the fruit and heightens that sense of electricity and liveliness. This is a collectors' bottle to keep safely in your cellar.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Barolo is a wine of extreme elegance and nuance. Dried red cherry, tobacco, dried flowers, mint and sweet spice are all nicely lifted in this sublime, delicate Barolo. All the elements fall into place so effortlessly. The 2018 naturally does not have the body of more important years, but it offers tons of persistence and fine balance. It has closed down quite a bit since I first tasted it a few months ago, which is probably a good sign. An opened bottle just got better and better over time.

Wine Advocate (98+)

Coming to market this fall, the Bartolo Mascarello 2019 Barolo represents a classic vintage in between two challenging growing seasons. Both 2018 and 2020 were hotter than 2019, resulting in higher alcohol levels. With fruit harvested on October 8th and 9th, this expression from 2019 shows extra freshness and a more streamlined style compared to the texturally generous 2020 or the softer and more open-knit 2018. Extraction and structure came easily in 2019, and delicate pump-overs sufficed. Maria Teresa Mascarello opted against submerged cap fermentations in 2022, 2019, 2017 and 2013. It was performed in 2016, 2014 and 2010, however. The fruit represents a blend of Monrobiolo in Bussia (a site with a lease that ends in 2025), Rue and Cannubi in Barolo and Rocche dell’Annunziata in La Morra. San Lorenzo will return to the blend in 2020. This bottle promises a decisive, vertical delivery of fruit (lots of "skeleton and bones") with a pretty moment of crunch, elegant acidic freshness and tannic structure. If you are nostalgic for a tight, acidity-driven Barolo that is good for long cellar aging, the 2019 is for you.

Vinous (93)

The 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo is sublime. Dark cherry, plum, lavender licorice and crushed flowers infuse the 2020 with striking detail. Fresh and vibrant, with terrific depth and character, the 2020 shows how captivating this vintage is. The Langhe Nebbiolo is made from purchased fruit sourced in Barbaresco, Treiso and Alba. It saw a relatively short ferment and was aged in cask for two years. It is essentially a Barbaresco in all but name, intentionally done in a forward, early drinking style.

The Bel Colle Barbaresco 2016, a paragon from Piedmont, hails from a region renowned for offering high-quality Nebbiolo. Produced with manually harvested grapes, this premier red wine showcases the expert craft of Bel Colle's winemakers, delighting discerning connoisseurs since 1976.

The wine undergoes fermentation for two weeks, aged in French oak barrels for 2 years, before sawing in bottles over 6 months. Showcasing a striking garnet colour, it enchants with a delicate bouquet that leads with expressive red fruits and unveils notes of vanilla and spice. Rich on the palate, this full-bodied, fine wine exhibits remarkable complexity, robust tannins, and a long, lyrical finish— a testament to its quality growing conditions and meticulous production methods.

Perfect for special occasions or ageing in your cellar, the Bel Colle Barbaresco 2016 testifies to an internationally successful winery's dedication to excellence, embodying the true spirit of Italian viticulture.

Immerse yourself in the exquisite artistry of the Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera 2019. Hailing from the esteemed Nebbiolo vineyards of Piedmont, Italy, each bottle boasts a unique narrative. Enlivened by the superb Barolo Ravera cru, the leading connoisseur, Massimo Benevelli, meticulously crafts this exquisite pour.

Harvested from 40-year-old vines and matured for 36 months in large oak barrels, Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera 2019 exhibits an intense ruby red hue, inherently characteristic of the vintage. On the palate, the wine delivers distinct notes of ripe red fruits, underpinned by subtle suggestions of rose and tar. This elegant harmonic complexity is achieved through a profound respect for traditional winemaking techniques, harnessed alongside innovative practices.

The Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera 2019 conveys Benevelli's commitment to producing wines that sing of their terroir, beautifully encapsulating the essence of Barolo. Indulge in this wine, an extraordinary embodiment of Italy's rich winemaking legacy.

For lovers of expressive and aromatic red wines, the Benevelli Piero Langhe Nebbiolo 2018 is a must-try. Coming from the illustrious region of Langhe in Piedmont, Italy; this exquisite wine reflects the passionate craftsmanship of the highly regarded producer, Benevelli Piero. Grown in calcareous and clay soils, the Nebbiolo grapes yield a robust wine with distinct complexities.

Following a traditional vinification, the Benevelli Piero Langhe Nebbiolo 2018 matures in large oak barrels for 12-15 months, enhancing its natural flavours. The end result is a balanced wine with harmonious tannins, a velvety texture expressing notes of red fruit and flowers. Additionally, hints of vanilla and leather, along with a deep garnet hue speak to its time in oak.

Characterised by its deep intensity, excellent structure, and complexity, Benevelli Piero Langhe Nebbiolo 2018 brings forth the essence of the Langhe terroir in each sip. Fruity yet elegant, this wine promises a memorable encounter for the sophisticated palate.

Savour the finesse and emanating notes of the equisitely-crafted Boggione Barolo Brunate 2013. Nestled on the verdant slopes of La Morra, Italy, this vintage wine is a rendition of artisanal craftmanship of the revered winemaker Claudio Boggione. The vineyard meticulously adapts traditional methods, aging the wine for 48 months in Slavonic oak casks to infuse a robust, complex flavour profile.

Boggione Barolo Brunate 2013 brings forth a delightful bouquet comprising of ripe cherries and rose petals, subtly laced with delicate nuances of clove and truffle. At the heart, it reveals a sophisticated palette of dark fruit and spices with a firm tannin structure. Its poised acidity and enduring finish echo the memorable Langhe terroir.

An elegant Nebbiolo masterpiece, this coveted wine embodies the cellar's pursuit of excellence. An unparalleled consignment for every fine wine lover, Boggione Barolo Brunate 2013 is a harmonious blend of traditional craft and bold Italian authenticity.

Nestled in the esteemed vineyards of La Morra in Piedmont, Italy, lies the prestigious Boggione family estate, the birthplace of the majestic Boggione Barolo Brunate 2014. Elegant and full-bodied, this Nebbiolo wine captures the quintessence of the 2014 harvest, personifying the artistry of the winemaker Claudio Boggione. The wine is aged for a minimum of 36 months in 25-hectolitre Slavonian oak barrels, emerging with a ruby-red hue and complex layers of depth.

The Boggione Barolo Brunate 2014 exhibits an aromatic profile of ripe red fruits, complex spices, and delicate undertones of soft velvety tannins, completed by an extraordinarily persistent finish. It's termendously tasty and notable for its long-life structure, making it highly collectible for wine connoisseurs. Its origin, the Brunate cru, is globally recognised as one of the best terroirs for the production of Barolo. Sipping the Boggione Barolo Brunate 2014 is an encounter with the soulful poetry of Italy's most cherished wine regions.

Vinous (93)

Claudio Boggione's 2016 Barolo Brunate is all class. Beautifully perfumed and sensual, the 2016 captures all of the beguiling aromatic intensity that makes Nebbiolo and Barolo so captivating. Rose petal, mint, cedar, bright red cherry, dried flowers and star anise are some of the many notes that lift from the glass. Although Boggione's 2016 doesn't have the gravitas and power usually associated with Brunate, it is an archetype of traditionally-made Barolo that will delight readers with classically leaning palates. I loved it.