Bartolo Mascarello, Dolcetto d'Alba 2018
Description
Tasting Notes:
The nose on the Bartolo Mascarello Dolcetto d'Alba is dense, with hints of violet and cyclamen, anise, almond, and vanilla notes. The palate is immediately slightly astringent, then fruity, leaving the mouth fresh. A rare dolcetto that benefits from age. Don’t expect it to last on the shelf, however; it’s a collector’s favorite!
Estate History:
“The idea of a perfect wine doesn’t exist. I am trying to make an honest wine, one that reflects all of the qualities of our territory, both its strengths as well as its flaws. There are only a few sites that can really give expressive wines. Our ancestors used to look at the hills in the winter, and where the snow melted first, they planted Nebbiolo. Today Nebbiolo is planted everywhere.” In keeping with this idea, Maria Teresa’s Barolo comes exclusively from the hearts of the same four time-honored Nebbiolo sites as her father’s Barolo: Cannubi, San Lorenzo and Rué—all in the commune of Barolo—and Rocche in the commune of La Morra.
Her Barbera and Dolcetto come from sections of San Lorenzo and Rué, respectively, that are less suitable for Nebbiolo. Dolcetto is also planted in Monrobiolo di Bussia, also in the commune of Barolo. The Barbera and Dolcetto are both classic examples—vibrant, juicy and utterly Piemontese.
Maria Teresa has not only held fast to her ancestors’ traditions, she’s taken the wines of Cantina Bartolo Mascarello to even greater heights, imbuing them with more refined aromatics and elegance across the range, giving traditional Piedmont enthusiasts much to look forward to in the coming years.