2007 Barolo

The 2007 Barolo has grown tremendously over the last few months. Some bottles have been more closed than others, but what is certain is that the wine is putting on weight. The 2007 appears to have a long drinking window ahead. It is without question one of the wines of the vintage.

The 2007 Barolo has grown tremendously over the last few months. Some bottles have been more closed than others, but what is certain is that the wine is putting on weight. The 2007 appears to have a long drinking window ahead. It is without question one of the wines of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037. It’s hard to go wrong with anything Maria-Theresa Mascarello is making these days. While much of the winery’s past fame was built on the sheer charm of Mascarello’s father, Bartolo, an icon in Piemonte, the wines weren’t always of the same stature. They certainly are today. At the time of my visit, Mascarello had not yet bottled her 2010 Langhe Nebiolo (note the traditional spelling with one ‘b’) as the malos progressed at snail’s pace and the wine was not ready. Readers who want to learn more might want to check out my video interview with Mascarello on www.erobertparker.com. Importer: Robert Chadderdon Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 332-4999

(Cannubi and Le Rocche normally are the two largest components of this wine, which also includes San Lorenzo and Rue; from fruit mostly harvested in mid-September): Medium red. Expressive, delicate perfume of cherry, redcurrant and mint. Supple and aromatic in the mouth, with sexy flavors of red berries, flowers, truffle and underbrush. Finishes broad but juicy, with substantial sweet tannins and terrific length. This fruit had 30 to 40 days of skin contact. There's 14.9% alcohol here but I never would have guessed it. Hail in May in Cannubi cut the size of the crop.