Barolo 2016 Bartolo Mascarello

Barolo 2016 Bartolo Mascarello

A classic, profound vintage from a legendary estate

The 2016 Barolo from Bartolo Mascarello is a wine of rare finesse, depth, and precision. Hailing from one of the most lauded vintages in recent memory, it perfectly reflects Maria Teresa Mascarello’s unwavering commitment to tradition: no shortcuts, no modern tricks—just purity, patience, and deep respect for the land.

Winemaking philosophy: tradition without compromise

As always, the Barolo is not a single-vineyard expression but a blend of four historic crus: Cannubi, San Lorenzo, Rue, and Rocche di La Morra. The grapes are harvested by hand and co-fermented in concrete vats with long macerations on the skins. There is no filtration, no barrique, no separate vinifications. Only large Slavonian oak casks and time.

Tasting notes

👁️ Appearance
Brilliant garnet red with luminous clarity, elegant and classic at first glance.

👃 Nose
Delicate and complex. Opens slowly with notes of dried rose petals, raspberry, candied orange peel, mountain herbs, sweet tobacco, and hints of damp earth.

👄 Palate
Taut, vibrant, and beautifully defined. Fine-grained tannins, graceful structure, and a long, mineral-driven finish. There’s tension, balance, and quiet power—this wine doesn’t shout, but it lingers in memory.

In the vineyard and cellar

Vineyard work is done with utmost care and no systemic treatments. In the cellar, the approach is hands-off: native yeast fermentation, long macerations, no technological intervention. Everything serves to express the character of place and vintage as purely as possible.

The 2016 vintage

Widely regarded as one of the finest vintages of the 21st century, 2016 brought ideal growing conditions: stable weather, gradual ripening, and excellent balance between tannin and acidity. The fruit was pristine, the harvest perfectly timed. The result: a classic Barolo with energy, longevity, and immediate charm.

Technical sheet

• Producer: Bartolo Mascarello

• Appellation: Barolo DOCG

• Vintage: 2016

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

• Vinification: native fermentation in concrete, long skin contact

• Aging: large Slavonian oak casks for approx. 32 months

• Alcohol: 14% vol

• Serving temperature: 16–18°C

• Farming approach: traditional, no systemic chemicals

• Cellaring potential: 30+ 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.