The 2006 Barolo Villero is surprisingly delicate and ethereal in this vintage. Sweet and perfumed to the core, the Villero shows lovely balance and purity in an up-front, slightly fragile style. Floral and spice notes linger on the refined finish. Mascarello bought this parcel in 1985 and replanted it in 1988, making this a relatively young vineyard in the Mascarello stable. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026.
Proprietor Mauro Mascarello makes some of the most compelling, traditional wines in Piedmont. Mascarello’s signature Barolo, Monprivato, rarely shows well when young, yet it has a proven ability to transform magically in the bottle, something I have witnessed first-hand with more vintages than I can remember. The irony is that by the time the wines start showing well they are long gone from the market or have appreciated dramatically in price.
Importers: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404, The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484