Cantina Bartolo Mascarello
Barbera d'Alba
Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Popped and poured. The 2011 Barbera d’Alba pours a deep, garnet (with some purple) color with a near opaque core. Slightly hazy. No signs of particles or gas. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous. Boysenberries , mulberries, dark cherry, braised beef (no cap), oiled leather, dried leaf tobacco, organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry; medium tannins and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. This is really tasty right now. While I don’t think this is going to fall off a cliff soon, I also don’t think there is any reason to hold any longer. Drink now and enjoy while the fruits are still nicely balanced with the secondary characteristics.
Popped and poured. The 2011 Barbera d’Alba pours a deep, garnet (with some purple) color with a near opaque core. Slightly hazy. No signs of particles or gas. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous. Boysenberries , mulberries, dark cherry, braised beef (no cap), oiled leather, dried leaf tobacco, organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry; medium tannins and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. This is really tasty right now. While I don’t think this is going to fall off a cliff soon, I also don’t think there is any reason to hold any longer. Drink now and enjoy while the fruits are still nicely balanced with the secondary characteristics.
Oct 10th, 2023So balanced with much padding the acidity.
So balanced with much padding the acidity.
Mar 19th, 2023Opened prior to dinner, no formal notes. This was served alongside a lovely pasta and meatball dish and the table was over the moon with the pairing. The 2018 Barbera d’Alba delivers a lovely mix of dark and red fruits that came across a bit rounder and richer than I expected and it was absolutely lovely! It brings classic structure that is matched with an almost silky texture. Lovely now and should remain so for several years to come. Grazie Tim!
Opened prior to dinner, no formal notes. This was served alongside a lovely pasta and meatball dish and the table was over the moon with the pairing. The 2018 Barbera d’Alba delivers a lovely mix of dark and red fruits that came across a bit rounder and richer than I expected and it was absolutely lovely! It brings classic structure that is matched with an almost silky texture. Lovely now and should remain so for several years to come. Grazie Tim!
Mar 12th, 2023
Still great but this 2020 is a bit rounded.
Still great but this 2020 is a bit rounded.
Oct 22nd, 2022
The 2019 Barbera d'Alba is fabulous. Bright and radiant, the 2019 is supple and yet classically medium in body. Soft, silky contours wrap around a core of red cherry/plum fruit. Interesting, despite its open-knit feel, the Barbera is a bit lower in alcohol than the norm, and that no doubt adds to its super-classic profile. I loved it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2022)
The 2019 Barbera d'Alba is fabulous. Bright and radiant, the 2019 is supple and yet classically medium in body. Soft, silky contours wrap around a core of red cherry/plum fruit. Interesting, despite its open-knit feel, the Barbera is a bit lower in alcohol than the norm, and that no doubt adds to its super-classic profile. I loved it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2022)
Decanted four hours. So dusty and closed on the nose but compensates with incredible purity on the palate. Tons of crystalline fruit. Perfect balance of still vibrant fruit and secondary elements.
Decanted four hours. So dusty and closed on the nose but compensates with incredible purity on the palate. Tons of crystalline fruit. Perfect balance of still vibrant fruit and secondary elements.
Jul 12th, 2021Hard not to pick this off a restaurant wine list for 35 euros. We will probably get it on night 2 as well. I’ll see if I can link to the list. https://www.derbygrill.it/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/LA-CARTA-DEI-VINI-Maggio-2021.pdf
Hard not to pick this off a restaurant wine list for 35 euros. We will probably get it on night 2 as well. I’ll see if I can link to the list. https://www.derbygrill.it/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/LA-CARTA-DEI-VINI-Maggio-2021.pdf
May 8th, 2021
Beautiful blue-black fruits, acacia flowers, lively acid and mineral balance. Amazingly beautiful Barbera.
Beautiful blue-black fruits, acacia flowers, lively acid and mineral balance. Amazingly beautiful Barbera.
Easily the best Barbera I’ve ever had!
Easily the best Barbera I’ve ever had!
Aug 24th, 2019Lots of fruit and good acidity. Versatile and delicious. Complexity peaking out.
Lots of fruit and good acidity. Versatile and delicious. Complexity peaking out.
May 20th, 2019