Mauro Molino Barolo 2017

Mauro Molino Barolo 2017 is a 100% Nebbiolo red wine from the Barolo DOCG in Piedmont, Italy, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage earned 93 points from both James Suckling and Wine Advocate, placing it among the most acclaimed releases from this La Morra–based estate. The 2017 growing season in Piedmont was warm and dry, producing Barolos of ripe fruit concentration balanced by the varietal's trademark structure.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Producer: Mauro Molino

Production & Heritage

Mauro Molino is a family-run estate rooted in the commune of La Morra, one of Barolo's most revered growing areas. The 2017 Barolo is a blend of Nebbiolo fruit sourced from vineyards in Annunziata and Berri in La Morra as well as Perno in Monforte d'Alba, combining the perfumed elegance of La Morra with the deeper structure that Monforte contributes. The wine undergoes maceration on the skins for 12 to 15 days, followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aging takes place for 18 to 24 months in a combination of used barriques and larger botti, a dual-vessel approach that integrates restrained oak influence while preserving Nebbiolo's aromatic transparency.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with white truffle and ripe strawberry, then shifts toward faded roses, violet, and a subtle mushroom earthiness. A thread of tar anchors the bouquet, lending classic Barolo character beneath the fruit.

Taste: The entry is softly textured and silky, with light cherry and plum fruit leading into a mid-palate layered with dried herb, milk chocolate, and warm spice. Aromatic intensity builds steadily rather than arriving all at once, and the tannins are fine-grained and well-integrated for a wine still in its relative youth.

Finish: The finish carries moderate length, with crushed flowers and earthy undertones lingering alongside a gentle tannic grip. A faint note of watermelon rind and dried cherry keeps the close fresh and lifted.

How to Drink Mauro Molino Barolo

This Barolo is best served at cellar temperature (60–65°F) in a large-bowled glass, and benefits from 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to let the aromatics fully open. It shows beautifully on its own and doesn't need a cocktail context — Barolo is a wine that rewards focused attention. That said, it pairs brilliantly at the table: try it alongside braised short ribs for a classic meat-and-Nebbiolo pairing, with truffle risotto to echo the wine's earthy nose, or with aged Parmigiano-Reggiano to complement its tannic structure.

Best For

• Gifting an Italian wine enthusiast exploring top-tier Piedmont producers
• Anchoring a special-occasion dinner centered around Northern Italian cuisine
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Barolo from a strong vintage
• Hosting a comparative tasting of La Morra versus Monforte d'Alba expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mauro Molino Barolo taste like? It delivers ripe cherry and plum fruit wrapped in dried herb, milk chocolate, and spice, with a silky texture and fine-grained tannins. The aromatic profile leans into white truffle, violet, and tar — hallmarks of well-made Barolo.

How does Mauro Molino Barolo compare to Paolo Scavino Barolo? Both are respected Barolo producers, but Mauro Molino tends toward a softer, more perfumed style rooted in La Morra fruit, while Paolo Scavino often shows more structural intensity from vineyards in Castiglione Falletto. The 2017 Mauro Molino's use of both barriques and botti gives it a balanced oak profile that sits between Scavino's historically barrique-forward approach and more traditional large-cask producers.

Is Mauro Molino Barolo good for sipping neat? Absolutely — Barolo is one of Italy's great contemplative wines, and this 2017 has the aromatic complexity and structural balance to stand on its own with just a decant and proper glassware.

Where is Mauro Molino Barolo made? Mauro Molino is based in La Morra within the Barolo DOCG in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. The fruit for this wine comes from vineyards in the Annunziata and Berri areas of La Morra and from Perno in the neighboring commune of Monforte d'Alba.

What foods pair well with Mauro Molino Barolo? Braised beef or ossobuco highlights the wine's tannic backbone; fresh egg pasta with butter and white truffle mirrors its earthy nose; aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Castelmagno complement its savory depth; roasted lamb with rosemary aligns with its herbal mid-palate; and dark chocolate desserts echo its milk-chocolate undertone.

What sizes does Mauro Molino Barolo come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Mauro Molino Barolo worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Barolo — more accessible than single-vineyard cru bottlings from the estate or from top-tier producers, yet still carrying serious critical acclaim with dual 93-point scores from James Suckling and Wine Advocate. For drinkers seeking genuine Barolo complexity without reaching the upper price tiers of the appellation, it represents strong value.

Why Mauro Molino Barolo?

The dual 93-point scores from James Suckling and Wine Advocate confirm that the 2017 vintage ranks among this estate's strongest recent releases. What distinguishes this bottling is the multi-site blend — drawing from both La Morra's perfumed, elegant vineyards and Monforte d'Alba's more structured terroir — resulting in a wine with unusual breadth for an entry-level Barolo. The combination of used barriques and traditional botti during aging strikes a measured balance between modern polish and Old World restraint. For anyone exploring Barolo beyond the biggest names, Mauro Molino's 2017 is a serious, well-documented entry point into the appellation.