Description
Mid-slope parcels in the hamlet of Perno within Monforte d’Alba provide the source for the 2015 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Santo Stefano di Perno, Piedmont, Italy, drawn from a historic vineyard long associated with the Mascarello family. Nebbiolo grows on calcareous marl with clay and sandstone, a soil mix that holds moisture yet still drains effectively in warm vintages. Southern exposures encourage even ripening, with elevation and steady airflow from surrounding hills moderating the site through the season. Farming follows traditional practice with all work done by hand, emphasizing low yields and canopy management calibrated to mature vines. Fruit is harvested selectively and fermented in large wooden vats, with maceration duration determined by the year’s structural profile rather than a fixed schedule. Aging proceeds exclusively in large Slavonian oak botti over an extended period. Within the estate portfolio, Santo Stefano di Perno holds a distinct position as a Monforte expression shaped by continuity of method and a deliberately restrained, long-aging cellar philosophy.