2012 Barolo Monprivato
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Tasting notes
This wine is full of surprises. From a hot vintage, the Giuseppe Mascarello 2017 Barolo Monprivato is unexpectedly floral, initially, more than it is fruity. Indeed. it shows hardly any sign of the challenges associated with a very dry summer season. Nebbiolo maintains its balance and freshness with an interlude of wild rose and lilac that moves progressively toward cassis, wild cherry and raspberry. The fruit is framed by savory notes of tobacco, rust and autumnal leaf. An elegant mineral note also appears. (ML)
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Barolo Monprivato is elegant, classy and nuanced. Crushed red berry fruit, spice and blood orange lend and exotic flair to this silky, mid-weight Barolo. The 2017 loses some of its persistence with air, but it offers tons of immediacy and sheer allure. Best of all, the 2017 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is one of the better recent vintages of Monprivato the Mascarello family has released. (AG)
Pale rose-garnet. Scented rose and spicy-earth savouriness. A delightful nose that draws you in. Simultaneously ethereal and savoury-spicy. Crisp, elegant and intense palate with firm, chalky tannins that are still quite primary, suggesting this needs more time to reach its peak. Long and perfumed, with just a touch of alcohol at the finish. (TJ)
The 2012 Barolo Monprivato is a polished and bright wine that delivers a profound and beautiful array of delicate aromas. These tiny, petite threads of cherry, wild berry, ash, smoked spice and grilled herb converge with unity to produce the intensity and purpose that ultimately defines this beautiful wine. I tasted from two bottles at the winery. One had been opened a few days prior, and the second one's cork was pulled immediately before I sampled it. This review is based on my impressions from both bottles: The first one sang loud and the second revealed a muted voice. There's no doubting that this wine needs at least ten more years to evolve. Having said that, I don't think 2012 has the extreme depth and focus we've seen from this vineyard in slightly cooler vintages.