Barolo Legends 1945-2019: Conterno, Mascarello

Café Vivant’s upcoming ‘Barolo Legends’ dinner (4 tickets left!) will find many of us 15 bottles deep in Conterno, Mascarello greatness.  Others will find much to enjoy on this useful list of new releases, maturing gems, and historical benchmarks. 

Sharp prices are a theme.  This is particularly true of the 2013 Mascarello Langhe, a list go-to and irresistible Nebbiolo pleasure.  2001 Monfortino had become a fading memory until we caught up with it again this past December.  Daniel and I were shocked how willingly the wine gave up its aromatic variety and richness: blackberries and smoke, allspice and violets, coffee and licorice. 

The single perfect bottle of the legendary 1945 Monfortino (one whose ruby color is so brilliant you can see your reflection through the bottle) will have someone’s Spring off to the loveliest of starts.