This was bought cheap, as an experiment, the cork short, slightly pushed out, loads of sediment. But wow, what a wine and what luck for me. I’ve had the '58/61/64/67 G. Mascarello on several occasions before but never this vintage. When first uncorked the bouquet of rose petals, tobacco and smoke was revealed. Due to the sediment I poured the wine into a narrow decanter from which I now pour and enjoy. The nose is also filled with sweet fruit - some red berries and the classic tar. On the palate it continue to evolve but is powerful, sweet but with all tannins gone. An amazing experience
I’ve had the '58 twice with the same experience: As this a fragrant wine at first, with air it grows and gains in intensity, plenty of life left and all the classic mature nebbiolo details in a fine, elegant, almost understated style that I adore a lot
I’ve seen a lot of great aged Piemonte wines out of Chambers St. in the last few months. Is this where that was purchased? Is there another retailer that is also selling these fantastic wines?
My question, too…I have a few bottles of the 1964 vintage of this wine on hold at a local enoteca, and I noticed that the color was far too light and thought to return the bottle and cancel the purchase. I have never had a Nebbiolo fade to the color above or lighter and be anything other than alcohol water. (Ken will remember a legendary 1958 white Bartolo from some years ago!) however, it is common for old Nebbiolo that is light red when opened to darken as it takes in air…
Just wondering about the bottle format - was it normal to use Bordeaux bottles for this wine? I only have a photo of my 1958s - all gone now - but these were in burgundy-style bottles. The contents were as described by Bill - very pale indeed, but darkening in the decanter, and getting more luscious by the hour.
So Nigel, understanding that it is my risk, you are thinking that my 1964 is worth opening, and that it stands a good chance of going to a good place with air? I think that the 1964 vintage in general is a tougher, longer-aging vintage, so I might be encouraged if your pale 58s came around. I only have one of the lot at home at the moment, and I am certain that I can get my money back or replacement bottles if it is shot…
Bill, of course no guarantee but I purchased two cases! of G. Mascarello 1961/1964 from a private cellar in Bergamo two years ago (laid down by a father for his sons - from their birthyears) and I’ve most probably enjoyed half of these by now and they’ve all been looking and behaving the same - so go for it
Nigel - on the two occasions I’ve had the '58 it’s been looking like your photo - in burgundy-shaped bottles. A recent 1957 of the same wine was aldo like this but this '55 was an old heavy version of a bdx-shaped bottle
A lot of wine was sold by the Mascarellos in demi-john during this period. They supplied labels to their clients so that when the wine was eventually transferred to 750 the bottles could be correctly identified.
Hi Bill,
I’m of the view that Barolo just evolves into ever-more ethereal phases. Unless ruined by heat or oxygenation, I’ve never had one that was too old. I have had one that was the colour of water (a 1961 Saverio) - Roberto Voerzio was at that dinner and said it sometimes happens with very old wines where something causes all the solid matter to precipitate to a powder at the bottom of the bottle. The smell was fine, but without that red matter, it smelled different. Noone could describe it very well.
