2004 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello "Monprivato" Barolo (1.5L)

“Mascarello’s 2004 Barolo Monprivato is an explosive wine with an almost Pinot-like expression of purity in its fruit. This round, sweet Barolo is extremely primary at this stage, with tons of dense fruit that almost cover the wine’s tannins completely. Subtle overtones of roses and tar develop in the glass, rounding out this majestic wine. Monprivato is one of the world’s very finest values in collectible, age-worthy wine, and the 2004 is another classic in the making. I was blown away by this wine’s sheer balance and harmony, both of which are remarkable considering the wine’s age. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034. (AG)” (10/2008)

“The 2004 Barolo Monprivato is utterly magnificent in its freshness, nuance and delineation. Sweet floral notes meld effortlessly into hard candy, wild flowers, rose petal and pomegranate, all supported by super-fine tannins. I very much admire the sense of energy here. The 2004 is striking today, but it is also quite young. Readers who are seeking fully mature flavors will want to give the 2004 at least a few more years in bottle. (AG)” (05/2015)

“Medium red with some amber at the rim. Complex, soil-inflected nose offers strawberry, dried flowers, minerals, licorice, sage and porcini mushroom. Suave and sweet in the mouth, like a maturing Burgundy, with highly perfumed flavors of strawberry, coffee, mocha and minerals framed by a surprising spine of acidity. The most complex of these 2004s today by a wide margin, this wine also seemed to grow fresher with aeration. Finishes juicy and firmly tannic but not hard, although I couldn't help thinking that the tannins of the 2001 version were riper. (ST)” (11/2009)

“Raspberry, citrus fruit and sandalwood aromas, with hints of fresh herbs. Full-bodied, with silky tannins. Soft and subtle, with pretty fruit. This is like a fine, old-style Burgundy. Very approachable now.” (12/2009)