Barolo 2013 Bartolo Mascarello

Barolo 2013 Bartolo Mascarello

A timeless Barolo in a great vintage

The 2013 Barolo by Bartolo Mascarello stands as a shining example of classicism in one of Piedmont’s most balanced and celebrated vintages. With structure, finesse, and remarkable purity, this wine expresses the soul of traditional Barolo through depth, restraint, and clarity.

Four crus, one voice

As always, this Barolo is a blend of four historic vineyards: Cannubi, San Lorenzo, Rue, and Rocche di La Morra. The grapes are co-fermented in concrete tanks with natural yeasts, followed by extended maceration. Aging takes place over 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks. No barriques, no filtration, no modern tricks—just patience and respect.

Tasting notes

👁️ Color
Bright garnet red with light orange hues at the rim.

👃 Nose
Refined and expressive with aromas of cherry, raspberry, dried rose petals, violet, licorice, forest floor, and hints of spice and tea leaf.

👄 Palate
Silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a finely chiseled structure. Elegant, layered, and long with a clean mineral finish that lingers gently.

Vineyard and cellar philosophy

Viticulture is traditional and non-systemic, relying on manual labor and natural cycles. In the cellar, the philosophy remains minimalist: spontaneous fermentation, long skin contact, and aging in large oak barrels. The result is a Barolo of identity, tradition, and patience.

The 2013 vintage

One of the standout vintages of the decade. Mild weather, good diurnal range, and a long ripening season led to Nebbiolo grapes with ideal balance and complexity. This Barolo shows early harmony but will evolve magnificently for decades.

Technical sheet

• Producer: Bartolo Mascarello

• Appellation: Barolo DOCG

• Vintage: 2013

• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo (Cannubi, San Lorenzo, Rue, Rocche di La Morra)

• Vinification: spontaneous fermentation in concrete, long maceration

• Aging: over 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks

• Alcohol: 14% vol

• Serving temperature: 16–18 °C

• Farming: traditional, no systemic chemicals

• Aging potential: 25+ years

Bartolo Mascarello: The Purest Voice of Traditional Barolo

A True Icon of the Langhe

Bartolo Mascarello isn’t just a name in Barolo’s history — he’s a legend. His winery, nestled in the heart of Barolo village, stands as a symbol of unwavering tradition in Piemonte. A rebellious yet poetic figure, Mascarello turned his deep-rooted beliefs into both wines and cultural statements. He didn’t just make Barolo — he stood for it.

Rejecting Modernity for Integrity

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, when many producers leaned into modern techniques and barriques, Bartolo Mascarello stayed fiercely committed to the old ways. His handwritten labels became iconic slogans: “No barrique, no Berlusconi,” “Barolo is tradition,” or simply “Liberty.” These were more than phrases — they were acts of resistance.

The Vineyard as Philosophy

His vineyards — Cannubi, San Lorenzo, Rue, and Rocche di La Morra — are cultivated with the utmost respect for the land. No aggressive treatments, no systemic chemicals. And crucially, he never vinified parcels separately. For Bartolo, the essence of Barolo was found in blending, not in single cru expressions. That idea, now rare, was his signature.

Winemaking with Patience and Soul

Everything in the cellar is done slowly, by hand, and with heart. Spontaneous fermentations, long macerations of up to 40 days on the skins, and aging in large Slavonian oak casks. The wines are unfiltered, unfined, and uncompromising. Young Barolo Mascarello may seem austere — but give it time, and it reveals a depth and elegance that only tradition can produce.

The Legacy Lives On

When Bartolo passed away in 2005, his daughter Maria Teresa Mascarello took the reins. With quiet strength and exacting care, she has preserved her father’s philosophy, elevating the wines while keeping them true. Every vintage under her direction is a living expression of heritage, terroir, and time.

Why Bartolo Mascarello Matters

To drink a Mascarello Barolo is to step into a time capsule — not just of a place, but of a way of thinking. These are not flashy wines. They are profound, emotional, and intellectually honest. Each bottle tells a story of craft, courage, and cultural resistance, bottled without compromise.