# Barolo Monprivato (2018)

- **Producer:** Giuseppe Mascarello
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Nebbiolo
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €300
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** wild strawberry, red plum, red cherry, rose, vanilla, cloves, dried apricot, tar, leather, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

The Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 2018 is a single-vineyard wine from the Barolo DOCG in Piedmont, Italy, crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, specifically the Michét clone, grown in the Monprivato vineyard. The Mascarello family, with a history dating back to 1881, has managed this estate for four generations, adhering to traditional winemaking practices. The Monprivato vineyard is notable for its calcareous-clay soils and southwest exposure, contributing to the wine's distinctive character. The 2018 vintage benefited from a balanced growing season, resulting in an elegant and structured wine.

## Interesting facts

- Monprivato vineyard acquired by the Mascarello family in 1904.
- Uses the specific Michét clone of Nebbiolo.
- Vineyard soils are calcareous-clay with active limestone.
- Aging occurs in large Slavonian oak casks (foudres).

## Food pairing

The wine's firm tannins and acidity are well-suited to complement the richness and protein of red meats, while its complex aromatic profile can harmonize with earthy flavors like mushrooms and herbs. The wine's structure can also stand up to the intensity of aged cheeses.

## Wine making process

The Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 2018 is produced using traditional winemaking methods. Key techniques include spontaneous fermentation, which utilizes native yeasts for a more nuanced flavor profile, followed by long maceration periods, typically lasting 20 to 40 days, to maximize extraction from the Nebbiolo grapes. The wine then matures for an extended duration, usually 24 to 30 months, primarily in large Slavonian oak casks (foudres). This aging process is designed to facilitate slow maturation and integration of the wine's components.