2003 Barolo, Santo Stefano di Perno, Mascarello

Mascarello has turned out outstanding Barolos in 2003. The Santo Stefano is a concentrated wine, showing plenty of ripe dark blackberry fruit, and the slightly herbal quality associated with this vineyard, finishing with great persistence of flavours and a pure, minerally finish.

Mascarello's 2003 Barolo Santo Stefano di Perno is superb. It presents gorgeous aromatics along with the essence of dried roses, dried cherries, herbs and spices. Made in a surprisingly seamless style, it possesses an open, forthcoming personality, outstanding length and polished tannins. The big question is whether it will shut down in the bottle. For now it remains sweet, harmonius and impossible to resist, even if it doesn't give the impression of being especially long-lived.
Antonio Galloni - eRobertParker.com