Mascarello Giuseppe e Figlio, Barolo Santo Stefano di Perno, 2009

Mascarello Giuseppe e Figlio, Barolo Santo Stefano di Perno, 2009Vineyard: Vigna Santo Stefano of Perno, in the commune of Monforte dAlba Grape Harvest: Towards the middle of October. Wine making process: Estate grown bunches, thinned during the summer, undergo traditional style, floating cap fermentation for 15 20 days. The wine is then matured in medium sized Slavonian oak barrels for around 30 months. Expected cellar life: 25 years Bottling: After four years following the vintage Colour: garnet red with orange

a selection of the best parcels (including Grand Cru Osterberg) produces a wine of great maturity

making this still an extremely rare wine

Though the cool summer was an ominous sign for the vintage

with Bernard Zito in the vineyards

it was common practice

Each bottle comes in its own numbered OWC with matching labels

August and September continued with significant differences in temperature range between day and night which led to a balance between acidity

where the frost damaged

Fermentation is in old French barrels with indigenous yeasts and can last up to a year

The great care taken in the vineyard

The nose is tantalisingly fruity and full of promise

polished tannins and an oily finish