Bartolo Mascarello Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 750ml

Product Info

90pts Vinous Media
The 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo is a fine entry-level offering from Maria Teresa Mascarello. It shows good depth, along with slightly nervy tannins that suggest a year or two in bottle will be beneficial. Crushed red berry fruit, chalk, white pepper and spice resonate on the finish. Drinking Window 2024 - 2029

Maria Teresa Mascarello's 2021 Barolo is a quintessential wine for the vintage in its pliant fruit and understated depth. Harvest took place between the first and second week of October. The 2021 saw 48 days on the skins with submerged cap  maceration before being racked into cask in November. Mascarello's entry-level wines are equally inviting, although small production makes them hard to find and pricier in the market than they really should be. - By Antonio Galloni on January 2025

Terroir
Bartolo Mascarello’s Langhe Nebbiolo is sourced from the same historic Barolo vineyards that define the estate’s legendary reputation, including parcels in La Morra and surrounding communes. These vineyards sit on classic Langhe soils dominated by calcareous marl, clay, and limestone, formations that naturally regulate vine vigor and promote slow, even ripening. The resulting fruit carries Nebbiolo’s unmistakable aromatic lift and firm structural backbone, even when vinified outside the Barolo designation.

The 2023 growing season in the Langhe was marked by a cooler, more classically paced cycle. Spring rainfall replenished water reserves, while a moderate summer avoided prolonged heat stress. Long, temperate ripening conditions allowed Nebbiolo to develop aromatic complexity without pushing sugars too high, preserving the grape’s naturally high acidity and tannic refinement. The vintage favors clarity, freshness, and perfume—qualities that align seamlessly with Bartolo Mascarello’s traditional philosophy.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
True to the Mascarello ethos, the Langhe Nebbiolo is made with the same uncompromising approach applied to their Barolo—only with a shorter aging period. Grapes are harvested by hand and fermented using native yeasts in large neutral vessels, allowing fermentation to proceed at a natural pace without manipulation. Maceration is extended but gentle, extracting Nebbiolo’s tannins and aromatic compounds without forcing concentration.

Aging takes place in large Slavonian oak botti, avoiding new wood entirely. This choice preserves transparency of fruit and site while allowing slow oxygen exchange to soften tannins. There is no attempt to polish or modernize the wine; instead, the goal is to present Nebbiolo in its most honest, unadorned form—energetic, aromatic, and structurally precise.

Tasting Notes
The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo opens with a striking aromatic profile that immediately signals its pedigree. Red cherry, wild strawberry, and crushed raspberry rise from the glass alongside classic Nebbiolo markers: dried rose petal, violet, and subtle notes of anise and orange peel. Beneath the fruit lies a distinctly savory core—iron, dried herbs, and a faint earthiness reminiscent of tilled limestone soils.

On the palate, the wine is vibrant and finely etched. Bright acidity drives flavors of tart cherry, pomegranate, and red currant, while the tannins—though unmistakably Nebbiolo—are refined and well integrated. There is a tension here between delicacy and structure: the wine feels light on its feet yet anchored by a firm mineral spine. Subtle notes of licorice root, tea leaf, and dried thyme emerge toward the mid-palate, adding complexity without weight.

The finish is long, linear, and precise, lingering on red fruit, floral tones, and a gentle savory bitterness. While immediately expressive, the wine also hints at short-term aging potential, with the structure to evolve gracefully over the next several years.

Food Pairing & Service
Bartolo Mascarello Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 is exceptionally versatile at the table, pairing beautifully with dishes that highlight acidity, umami, and texture rather than richness alone. Ideal pairings include fresh pasta with mushroom or truffle sauces, veal or pork with simple herb preparations, and roast chicken with rosemary and garlic. Its acidity also complements tomato-based dishes, making it a natural partner for classic Piedmontese and northern Italian cuisine.

Serve at 58–62°F (14–17°C) in a large Burgundy or Nebbiolo glass to fully express its aromatics. Decanting is optional but a short aeration—20 to 30 minutes—will allow the floral and savory layers to fully unfold.