Barolo, Santo Stefano di Perno, 2016
Very different to the ethereal Monprivato. Meaty and earthier with lots of spice. A savoury, sapid hint of pine, mixed with forest berry and peppercorn characteristics. Robust, and satisfying, a typically deep structured but very complete Perno. A west-south west facing vineyard from the Monforte d’Alba commune with more clay in its soils than Monprivato that produces powerful, muscular Barolos typical of the area. Aged for 36 months large oak vats.
critic reviews
The 2016 Barolo Perno Vigna Santo Stefano is a heady, effusive wine that captures all of the aromatic intensity and energy so typical of this Monforte site. Bright red berry fruit, rose petal, mint, blood orange, sage and spice all race out of the glass. I suggest cellaring the 2016 for at least a few years, but it is pretty terrific even now. It's also one of the best wines I have tasted from Mascarello in a decade or so.