Giuseppe Mascarello Barbera D'Alba Scudetto 2018

Giuseppe Mascarello Barbera D'Alba Scudetto 2018 is an old-vine, single-vineyard Barbera from Piedmont, Italy, bottled at 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from 60- to 70-year-old vines in the Scudetto vineyard of Monforte d'Alba, this wine carries a 90-point aggregate critic score and stands as one of the estate's most site-expressive Barbera bottlings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Piedmont, Italy  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Producer: Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio

Production & Heritage

Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio is one of the most historically significant estates in the Langhe, renowned primarily for its legendary Barolo from Monprivato. The Scudetto vineyard sits in the Perno fraction of the Monforte d'Alba commune, just beneath the chapel of Santo Stefano, on distinctive clay-sandy soils composed of brown clays and gray marine sands interspersed with small pebbles and skeletal particles. The 2018 Scudetto underwent traditional fermentation over 12 to 14 days using a floating cap method, followed by maturation in medium-capacity oak barrels — a restrained approach that preserves the grape's varietal intensity rather than masking it with new wood.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe dark fruit — black cherry and wild berries — before moving into layers of undergrowth, damp earth, and subtle woody spice. There is a brooding quality balanced by varietal freshness that signals serious Barbera from mature vines.

Taste: On the palate, the entry is dense and fruit-forward, with tart cherry and blackberry compote giving way to an emphatic mid-palate of considerable structure. The 15% alcohol is well-integrated into the wine's powerful body, and a snappy acidity characteristic of top Barbera keeps the richness in check through the peak.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with lingering notes of dark fruit, earth, and a faint mineral edge that recalls the vineyard's sandy-clay soils. A gentle tannic grip adds texture without austerity.

How to Drink Barbera D'Alba Scudetto

This wine is best served at 60–65°F (16–18°C), ideally after 30 minutes of decanting to allow its concentrated fruit and earthy complexity to open fully. Drinking it without food lets the vineyard character speak, but its vibrant acidity and full body make it an exceptional food wine. Pair it with braised short ribs, where its structure matches the richness of the meat. It also excels alongside truffle risotto, where the earthy undergrowth notes in the wine create a natural bridge. Classic Piedmontese tajarin with butter and sage provides a simpler pairing that highlights the wine's fruit purity.

Best For

• Gifting a Piedmont wine enthusiast who already knows the estate's Barolo
• Anchoring a northern Italian dinner party centered on braised meats and truffles
• Adding an age-worthy Barbera to a serious cellar collection
• Exploring old-vine single-vineyard expressions from one of the Langhe's most respected producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Barbera Scudetto taste like? The 2018 Scudetto delivers concentrated tart cherry and wild berry fruit supported by earthy, undergrowth complexity and firm structure. Bright acidity and a full 15% ABV body give it both vibrancy and weight.

How does Barbera Scudetto compare to Vietti Barbera d'Alba Scarrone? Both are single-vineyard Barbera d'Alba wines from prestigious Langhe estates, but the Mascarello Scudetto tends toward a more traditional, earth-driven profile, while Vietti's Scarrone often shows a rounder, more polished oak character from its aging regimen.

Is Barbera Scudetto good for sipping neat? Yes — its layered aromatics, concentrated fruit, and structured body reward careful attention on its own, particularly after a brief decanting to let the wine breathe.

Where is Barbera Scudetto made? It is produced by Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio from the Scudetto vineyard in the Perno fraction of Monforte d'Alba, within the Barbera d'Alba DOC in Piedmont, Italy.

What foods pair well with Barbera Scudetto? Braised short ribs or osso buco match its full body; truffle-based pasta dishes echo its earthy notes; aged Parmigiano-Reggiano provides a salty-umami counterpoint; and grilled lamb chops with rosemary complement its dark fruit and herbal undertones.

What sizes does Barbera Scudetto come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Barbera Scudetto worth the price? It positions as a premium single-vineyard Barbera d'Alba from one of the Langhe's most revered estates, with old-vine fruit and traditional winemaking that justify its place above entry-level Barbera while remaining more accessible than the estate's flagship Barolo.

Why Barbera Scudetto?

What separates this wine from the broader Barbera d'Alba category is the specificity of its source: 60- to 70-year-old vines on the unique clay-sand soils beneath Santo Stefano chapel in Perno, a site that imparts a mineral and earthy dimension uncommon in the appellation. Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio applies the same uncompromising, traditional winemaking philosophy here that has earned its Barolo Monprivato legendary status. The floating cap fermentation and restrained oak aging allow the Scudetto vineyard's personality to dominate. For anyone looking to understand what serious, site-specific Barbera can achieve in skilled hands, this 2018 bottling is a compelling reference point.