Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2003 Barolo is one of many unexpected surprises of the night. From a period before quality really skyrockets at the domaine, the 2003 is remarkably fresh, perfumed and expressive. Naturally, the 2003 doesn’t match the level of the best wines on the table, but it is, frankly, much stronger than I had expected. The 2003 is also one of the best semi-current vintages for present-day drinking.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Sweet tobacco, dried flowers, mint, and dried herbs meld together in the 2003 Barolo. The aromas have just begin to develop hints of tertiary complexity and nuance, while there is more than enough depth to support another decade of very fine drinking. The 2003 doesn't have the finesse or polish of the best vintages, but it has certainly held up well. Exceptionally well.
Medium red with an amber edge. Explosive, very expressive aromas of dried cherry, strawberry, mocha, earth, smoke and milk chocolate. Suave, clean and not at all cooked, with a compellingly chewy texture to the sweet, bright flavors of strawberry, truffle and underbrush. Sneaky acidity and dusty tannins give this very long wine a distinctly sappy finish. "Yes, it's atypically agreeable, but it would be a pity to drink this now," noted Maria-Teresa, who told me she did a somewhat shorter maceration than usual in 2003 and ultimately bottled just over half of her normal quantity of Barolo-and no magnums.
Mascarello's 2003 Barolo reveals expressive, perfumed, high-toned aromatics along with ripe red cherries, menthol and licorice in an expression of this wine that is unusually rich, while maintaining remarkable freshness for the vintage. this very pretty, medium-bodied Barolo needs a few more years in bottle to settle down.
About the producer
Bartolo Mascarello is one of the most respected, traditionalist Barolo producers. The Piedmont estate makes one of the region’s finest expressions of Nebbiolo.