2020 Barbera d'Alba
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Barbera d'Alba shows a lovely appearance with a rich, blackish color. Aromas recall dried fruit and raisin, generously played over a full-bodied texture. An unfortunate outbreak of the floral disease Flavescence dorée in the San Lorenzo vineyard damaged one-third of the 30-year-old Barbera vines. Faced with few options, the plants were ripped out in 2020 and replanted two years later after the soils had a chance to rest. The 2019 vintage is the last estate expression of Barbera, and we won’t see it again until 2028, if you add in winemaking years and the time needed for young vines to reach maturity. In the interim, Maria Teresa Mascarello buys fruit from the Treiso area of Barbaresco and Diano d'Alba to make this wine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A serious Barbera, the 2020 Barbera D'Alba is ripe with black cherry, crushed stones, and pressed violets. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refreshing acidity, a supple texture, and notes of blackberry and mocha as well as fine tannins, fresh acidity, and good length. Drink over the next 8-10 years.
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.
Fermentation in concrete. Aged in large Slavonian oak cask for two years. Deep youthful crimson. Spice-laced blueberry and cherry nose and with a savoury edge. Vibrant acidity and long, fragrant blueberry fruit. Real freshness and substance. Fine, long tannins on the finish. (WS)
About the producer
Bartolo Mascarello is one of the most respected, traditionalist Barolo producers. The Piedmont estate makes one of the region’s finest expressions of Nebbiolo.