Bartolo Mascarello, Barolo 1997

Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 1997 is a benchmark expression of traditional Barolo from one of the region’s most revered and stubbornly authentic producers. Sourced from a blend of the historic crus Cannubi, San Lorenzo, Rué and Rocche di La Morra, this wine captures the soul of classic Nebbiolo in a warm, generous vintage. The 1997 growing season, marked by early flowering and a long, sunny maturation, has given a Barolo of depth, ripeness and immediate charm, without sacrificing the structure needed for graceful aging.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 1997 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo shows a deep garnet core shading to brick and amber at the rim, reflecting nearly three decades of slow evolution. The bouquet is intensely expressive and complex, with layers of dried roses, tar, cherry liqueur, stewed strawberries, sweet licorice, tobacco leaf and damp forest floor, interwoven with notes of truffle, leather and balsamic herbs. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet incredibly refined, with a core of mature red fruit—maraschino cherry, dried raspberry and blood orange—wrapped in savory tones of spice, undergrowth and subtle smoke. The tannins are still firm but velvety, carrying the trademark Barolo grip in a softened, resolved form, while a vibrant, linear acidity keeps the wine fresh and precise. The finish is very long, layered and mineral, with lingering notes of rose petal, spice and earth. At this stage, the 1997 is in a beautiful, fully mature drinking window, though well-stored bottles still have the capacity to evolve for several more years, gaining further tertiary complexity rather than additional power.

Production
The fruit for Bartolo Mascarello’s Barolo 1997 comes from some of Barolo’s most storied parcels: Cannubi, San Lorenzo, Rué and Rocche di La Morra. These sites combine sandier, calcareous soils that give perfume and finesse with more clay-rich plots that contribute body and structure, all set within the rolling hills of Piemonte’s Barolo DOCG. True to the estate’s staunchly traditional philosophy, the grapes are hand-harvested and fermented together, rather than vinified by single vineyard. The Nebbiolo undergoes a long maceration in cement, extracting maximum aroma, tannin and character, before being aged for around 36 months in large Slavonian oak botti. There is no barrique, no modernist shortcuts—just slow, patient élevage and further bottle aging to allow the wine to knit together and express its classical identity.

Food & Serving
This mature Barolo is superb with rich, savory dishes such as braised beef (brasato al Barolo), osso buco, slow-cooked lamb shank, truffle risotto, and game birds like pheasant or duck. It also shines alongside aged hard cheeses—Parmigiano Reggiano, mature Pecorino or well-aged Comté—and dishes featuring porcini mushrooms or black truffle. Serve at around 18 °C, ideally in large Burgundy or Barolo stemware to let the aromatics unfold. Decanting 3–4 hours before serving is strongly recommended for this vintage, both to separate any sediment and to allow the wine’s complex bouquet and texture to fully emerge.

Producer
Bartolo Mascarello is one of the legendary names of Barolo, a bastion of traditional winemaking in Piemonte. Founded in the early 20th century and steered for decades by the charismatic and outspoken Bartolo Mascarello himself, the estate gained cult status for its steadfast refusal to follow fashion—eschewing single-cru bottlings and new oak in favor of time-honored blending and aging in large botti. In an era when many producers modernized their style, Mascarello remained firmly attached to the old ways, helping preserve the classic, austere yet profoundly nuanced expression of Barolo. Today, under the guidance of Bartolo’s daughter, Maria Teresa Mascarello, the winery continues to be one of the most respected and sought-after producers in the region, celebrated for wines that age majestically and remain reference points for lovers of traditional Nebbiolo.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.