Barolo Monprivato 1990
Barolo DOCG, Mascarello Giuseppe e Figlio, 750 ml
Description
Citing Robert Parker The Wine Advocate: "From a bottle caked in mud and dust acquired over two decades in the cellar, 1990 Barolo Monprivato is a fascinating and epic wine. I tasted bottle number 00982. It pours from the glass with a garnet ruby color that shows a translucent, brilliant appearance. The bouquet is fine and elegant with a long parade of varietal aromas spanning from forest berry and cola to white truffle and pressed violets. It’s a wine of a million fine points and hidden details that reveal themselves seductively and slowly. As the bouquet takes on more air, a new set of aromas with spice and dark espresso begin to emerge. The mouthfeel is equally elegant and fine with silky tannins and points of bright acidity that add a great sense of dimension and energy. It’s a gorgeous expression of Nebbiolo and one of the most profound and beautiful Barolos I tasted in this retrospective. Medicinal and menthol notes drive a beautifully long and complex finish. Give the wine plenty of decanting time; 12 hours or more."
Nebbiolo
Proud Piedmontese
It’s the king of Piedmont: the most sought-after wines come from Nebbiolo. It reaches its highest expression in Barolo and Barbaresco. Its acidic, tannin-rich wines in its youth are often unapproachable. With maturity, however, it develops an ethereal bouquet of cherry, liquorice, violet and rose, as well as truffles, tar and forest floor. Nebbiolo takes its name from the Italian “Nebbia”, meaning fog. This not because of the weather in Piedmont, but due to the whitish film on the ripe, red berries. It was first mentioned by this name in the 13th century. Much like the Pinot noir, Nebbiolo can precisely reflect its terroir, but only if it is really pleased with where it is. It likes cool climates and calcareous soils. Attempts have been made to transplant it, for example, to California, but the results were disappointing. It feels most comfortable in the hills of northern Italy.
Italy
Italy – Where wine is a way of life
The Italian wine regions are extremely diverse, and this is made clear in their wines. Established varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, and Sauvignon can be found on just 15 percent of the total vine growing area. The remaining 85 percent is reserved for autochthonous, indigenous varieties. More than 2,000 different grape varieties are grown under diverse conditions and pressed with various techniques into wines that reach the top tier of the international wine market.
