Hello everyone,
I’m looking to buy some Barolo. Something to drink now and something to cellar.
Any advice on vineyards/vintages …
I was looking at 1996, 2001, 2004, 2016… although, I’m not sure if the earlier options are perhaps past their peak…
Thoughts on 2004 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo?
Any advice appreciated- thanks !!
If they are well stored then I wouldn’t expect the older vintages to be past peak at all. Well stored Barolo from the '50s and '60s drink extremely well. One item to be aware of is that during that time period of '90s through mid 2000s there was a big modernist movement with a lot of new French oak and rotofermenters and short macerations, all of which was designed to make plush, approachable wines, but the end result was not very representative of the region and I’d be skeptical of how some have held up. There is still some of this kind of thing, but it is much less. So my advice is before buying, do some research on producers. Searching here on WB should be sufficient. The linked thread is a good place to start.
If you have questions about specific bottles or producers which you are considering, I am sure many here would be able to offer opinions.
Most 2001s and 2004s should provide some real pleasure now, but you probably want to decant them a few hours ahead, because Barolo can be slow to open up. (I opened a 2010 Vietti Castiglione – their base bottling – a few weeks ago and it only really opened up on the second day.)
2016 was a long-lived vintage. I haven’t tried any recently, but I’d expect most to be at an awkward spot – fairly closed up.
1996 was a very tannic, long-lived vintage. The only one I’ve had in the last year was a super-modern Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, which wasn’t too tannic but was the victim of too much oak and wasn’t very interesting. A lot of the modernist wines from that period have no developed well, and I think you’d probably find the traditionalist wines might still be fairly tannic and unevolved. So…
2001 and 2004 seem like the best bets.
I’ve not tasted the Bartolo Mascarello, but would assume it would be excellent.
All those vintages are well-regarded, and there are others I’d suggest as well e.g. 1998, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2010 plus other later ones. If wines from those vintages are past their best, they’re not made like I want Barolo to be made!
One option for ‘drink now’ would be Langhe Nebbiolo, and this makes sense if you’re also interested in the winery’s Barolos (or Barbarescos). They should hint at the house style, but be more approachable.
One other aspect to consider, is where your preferences are on the traditionalist / modernist spectrum, including tolerance for oak, austerity, richness of fruit, appreciation of aromas, and tolerance of tannins.
I think the 2004 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo is in an awkward stage now.
How much experience have you had with Nebbiolo? If you’re fairly new to Nebbiolo, I would not start with a $500 bottle.
What are your favorite types of wine now?
I brought a 1996 Oddero Barolo Mondoca di Bussia Soprana to a tasting last year and found it just rather unimpressive. I don’t remember it being overly tannic per se, but remember it being merely pleasant but without much impact.
Good point and a good question.
That’s just not a great wine. I was annoyed Flatiron pushed me to buy a couple at inflated prices knowing it wasn’t great. Oddero got much better a decade later. I’m sure others can chime in re their experience. For the $200+ price of that Oddero (I think I paid $165 6 years ago), you can get so many better wines.
Older Oddero used to take forever to come around. OK for hardcore Neb tannin lovers but pretty brutal for everyone else. Not exactly something to cut one’s teeth on although good for bruising the gums. $200 could easily be spent better elsewhere.
Also must be said that 96 is the poster child in the last 40 years for “will the fruit be able to outlast the tannins” vintage. Nails and more nails shot from a nail gun.
I paid $90 I think so not too painful.
A decanted '96 Giacosa Falletto Riserva was beautiful a couple of months ago. But, that’s Giacosa, so…
To be honest, OP should try some '19 and '20 Barolos to see if he likes the wines. ‘19 Vajra Coste di Rose has been extremely approachable the two times I’ve had it this month (one time was a pop n’ pour, the other decanted). '19 Vajra Bricco delle Viole is tightening up from last year, but still pleasurable. '19 Vajra Ravera needs to slumber.
I’ve also had good experiences with '19 Elio Grasso Gavarini Chiniera and Ginestra Casa Mate, '19 F. Rinaldi Cannubi, and '19 E. Pira Via Nuova off the top of my head. A friend of mine texted that he was shocked how open '19 Trediberri Berri was a couple of months ago. Of course, drink these wines with some protein/food.
I haven’t had too many '20s yet, but I’m hearing from friends they are more approachable than the '19s young. YMMV.
I don’t know about other folks, but my sense is that Barolos (with climate change and contemporary tannin management and winemaking) have a more Burgundian aging curve now (approachable young, shut down during middle-age, opening up again at maturity). I haven’t opened my Burlottos or B. Mascarellos young recently, but I would be interested in hearing if people are finding this to be true with these traditionalist stalwarts as well.
As other posters have said, '96, '01, and '04 are not past peak if they are well stored. The question is whether you can source well-stored bottles.
I started earlier to parallel your sage words. Giacosa, master that he was, handled 96 rather deftly.
Also agree that there is no need to hunt for and pay up for aged wines. While Barolo/Barbaresco has the reputation of needing 20+ years to become approachable, I’ve always loved most of them in the early stages when the fruit is shining in all its glory. This goes for the traditionalists as I have practically no interest in “modern” producers. Modern in quotes because I don’t really like the term and also now there is a slightly new wave coming out that have managed tannins very well without compromising the style in a gross way. Time will tell if these will run the distance of 30 or more years but even if they don’t, they make for beautiful wines.
I think pretty much all 2001s are in a great place. You could also look at 2007 and 2008.
Thankyou everyone for the advice. I find this discussion useful and interesting.
Some more context to the question… I am new to wine but have really been enjoying it the past few years and want to learn more. I have been living in Tasmania and have been focusing on local wines. However, I travelled to Barolo this year and tried fantastic wines of that region.
I am actually buying for a present to a close friend, who is experienced and knowledgeable in Barolo wines.
On reflection, I am looking for a truly fantastic Barolo to drink now. As I am unsure of my friend’s cellar situation.
Also, how do you know if your seller has stored wines well?
Thanks again
I started trying my luck with Barolo over a decade ago and went long (for me) on the 2010s (they ended up making up the lion’s share of wines Jon Fox/Premier Cru never shipped to me as part of the fraud) . . . and, sadly, I then just lost interest in buying any more Barolo. Funny how being a fraud victim can take some of the fun out of things . . . .
That said, I’ve still got a few 2007s and some 2010s I’ve largely left alone in my cellar. Was actually thinking of taking a couple of 2007s to a gathering with friends tomorrow. Do any of you have any suggestions with respect to these four wines?
2007 Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana
2007 E. Pira & Figli (Chiara Boschis) Barolo Via Nuova
2007 M. Marengo Barolo Bricco delle Viole
2007 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Bricco Gattera
Also, decanting advice would be wonderful!! Thanks!! 
Given what you’ve said, I would recommend getting a bottle from a great producer, but not in the most classic vintages (like 89, 96, 01, 04). Instead try a 1998 or 1999. Giacosa’s Barolos in those vintages are great and drinkable now (with air). Giacosa made a Santo Stefano Barbaresco Riserva in 1998 which is beautiful now.
It might also be worth posting on the auswine forum, as they’ll have better knowledge of local availability, and there’s lots of interest in Italian wines there… though might the recipient be a member there already?!
A quick online search for Tasmanian wine shops didn’t offer up too much choice, so I suspect a mainland order will be necessary.
edit - I’ve just realised forumite @Jeremy_Holmes has an Aussie wine store (dortodoor), and having a look at the back vintages in Piemonte, might have just the choice.
A leftfield idea 1st…Whilst they’re no longer the bargains they used to be, and doubly so by the challenge of sourcing and importing them to Australia, away from Barolo he has a number of bottles from Vallana. Back in the 1950s / early 1960s, they made amazing wines. Sold remarkably cheaply, yet at 50-60 years old they were shining brightly when others had long since faded.
A 1978 Prunotto Riserva Barolo might be a decent option as well.
At the opposite end of the age scale, I love Marcarini’s solid style, and the 2012 Marcarini Brunate seems fairly priced. Not the greatest of vintages, but Cellartracker notes suggest it’s good. If wanting a 2nd bottle to go with it, perhaps a 1997 La Ca’ Nova Bric Mentina Barbaresco, going on the basis a solid/austere producer handles a warm vintage better. The sole TN on CT (in Italian) seems decently positive.
I reckon though it might be best to ask Jeremy himself to recommend a bottle based on your criteria.
Thank you very much. This has been extremely helpful !
