2013 Barolo, Monprivato Cà d'Morissio, Riserva, Mascarello Giuseppe & Figlio, Piedmont, Italy

Castiglione Falletto. Grapes come from a plot Mauro Mascarello planted in the 1980s from a mass selection of Michet, which is a virus-ridden Lampia, but because of that the vines produce small bunches with small berries.

Just mid ruby. Needs to take a very deep breath. At first malt and brooding cherry. With aeration the mists lift. Cherry with hints of sweet liquorice and cinnamon bark. Minerally iodine hints. Still embryonic with compact fruit but with a sensational balance between supple acidity, compact fruit and super-fine long tannins sticking to the palate.

Drink 2026 - 2040

The 2013 Barolo Riserva Monprivato Ca' d' Morissio offers up a super-classic profile laced with sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, autumn leaves, dried rose petal and red berry fruit. It's an alluring wine, there is no question of that. Sadly, this bottle is also a bit forward. In a way, I am happy no consumer got this bottle and its horribly flawed cork that crumble upon opening. On the other hand, I wonder how Mascarello could bottle a wine like this without more quality control. The Ca' d' Morissio is not a par with the elite wines of 2013, but it is a huge step up from the dismal 2012.

Drink 2025 - 2043