TN: 1998 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)

WINE TALK
1

Nice on the palate; this really spreads out and coats your tastebuds; nice finish as well. Ample acidity is still present to frame the fruit. Very likable at 15 years of age, and fairly accessible as well. This is a day 2 glass (the wine was popped & poured for our Valentine’s Day dinner last night).

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Thanks for the note!

3

No problem, Adam - I saw that you had requested one in that Valentine’s Day thread.

FWIW, we both liked the ‘99 Poggio Antico Altero better, although both wines were drinking well. I even had a non-premoxed Fevre Chablis, so I must have been utilizing my "Luck o’ the Irish" last night [wink.gif] .

I would say that if you only have a couple of bottles of the Monprivato, I would still wait on this - I think it will be better in another five years.

4

I only have one 98. More 99, 01, 04, and 06. I will wait on the 98. My other option was a 97 Produttori Montestefano Riserva for a dinner I was going to have last weekend, but it fell through and now I know to wait.

5

Bob,

I don’t know if you remember, but this was drinking very well and was Bill B’s house wine 5-6 years ago. Total Wines or its Richmond equivalent was selling this for next to nothing. He bought 5-6 cases and went through them in no time. Given how open it was then, I am a bit surprised it is still doing so well.

6

1998 is an oddball year for Barolo, at least to my tastes. I’ve had only a half-dozen or so, however, and some seem ready far too early while others are very primary. I haven’t figured out the vintage. I have had a similar reaction to 2005, for slightly different reasons.

7

It’s true.I bought a total of 7 cases from the Virginia Beach TW and have gone through about 6.
$30-35/bottle was just too tempting not to go all in…

Haven’t popped one in a year or so,and yet I will.I will be surprised if it rises to the overall quality of its earlier incarnation,but it is Monprivato,and anything can happen.

8

I just think that '98 Monprivato was one of those rare Baroli that never really shut down - while I was a relative piker compared to Bill in that I only bought two cases, the wine has always shown well at various ages, and I think it’s easily got another 10 years ahead of it.

I had this a few months back paired with the '98 Conterno Cascina Francia and the '98 Giacosa Falletto, and this wine is the most open/accessible of that trio right now.

9

I hear you,Bob.
Never,ever,had a Monprivato behave like the 98…