Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 1997 (750ML)

90+ VM

Dark ruby.  Mauro Mascarello's 1997s are among the most structured wines I have tasted from this vintage.  Perhaps caught at an awkward moment, the 1997 did not enjoy a particularly strong showing, despite having been decanted for over five hours.  It is a massively endowed, concentrated Barolo, packed with ripe dark fruit and fierce tannins that make it hard to fully evaluate.    However, this wine's strong track record, as well as its aging potential (see Issue 3 and 4), gives me no cause for concern with regards the wine's future.  In addition, Mascarello's 1997 Riserva Ca' d'Morissio has been nothing short of stunning on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media