Massolino, Barolo Riserva `Vigna Rionda` 2014
Country: Italy Region: Piemonte Vintage: 2014
Category: Red Wine Color: Red
Producer: Massolino
"This 23 hectare estate has been in the Massolino family since 1896. In recent years, the style of the wines has undergone a subtle transformation. Winemaker Franco Massolino has done a wonderful job of marrying change with a respect for tradition, something that sets them apart from many of the younger producers in Barolo today. This is in part dictated by the nature of the vineyards, with vines up to 60 years old, that the Massolino family owns in the commune of Serralunga d'Alba, the source of some of the greatest, most structured and longest-lived Barolo.
Their Barolo has an attractive aromatic dimension and is as good as Barolo gets at this price. The single vineyard 'Parussi', when tasted alongside the 'Margheria', is a study in the importance of site. The winemaking is the same, but the more restrained style of the 'Parussi' from Castiglione Falletto is contrasted against the aromatic, yet layered and tannic style of the 'Margheria'. Drink the 'Parussi' now and put the 'Margheria' in the cellar. The 'Parafada', from the estate's oldest vineyard, is a bit more open, though similarly 'Serralunga' in style with a unique depth and complexity. Massolino's Langhe Nebbiolo is more declassified Barolo than the youthful version from Vajra and is, as a result, a bit more expensive. The fruit comes only from vineyards within the Barolo zone.
Franco has wanted to introduce screwcap to his range of wines for some time. He decided to do so after recent blind tastings with different closures resulted in his Langhe Nebbiolo showing best when bottled under Stelvin Lux. He says that the change in closure retains ""the purity of the aromas and the energy of the wine"" and is looking forward to seeing how this affects the ageing process."
Product Features: Sustainable;Vegan;Vegetarian
Winemaker: Franco and Roberto Massolino
Vineyards:
Grapes for this wine were grown in the 2.6 hectare 'Vigna Rionda' vineyard, which is one of 35 recognised Serralunga crus. Situated mid-slope at 330m above sea level, the vineyard is at an ideal altitude for Nebbiolo and is protected from northern winds by the Castelletto hills. The marl-limestone mix of soils, together with the microclimate, enable the production of wines with an optimum balance of structure, aroma and finesse rarely found elsewhere. The vines are traditional Guyot-trained and are planted at a density of 1600 to 6000 vines per hectare. The average yield is 45 hectolitres per hectare and the vines are 15-35 years old.
Vinification:
Vigna Rionda is a classic style of Barolo, made using traditional vinification techniques, in contrast to Parafada. Fermentation and maceration lasted 25-30 days at temperatures between 31-33°C. The wine was aged for a total of six years, 3.5 of which were in traditional large Slavonian oak barrels and the remaining 2.5 in bottle.
Tasting Notes:
Bright garnet red, this wine is very intensely floral in its youth and develops a seductive bouquet with age. Probably the most potent of all the Massolino wines, it perfectly summarises the essential characteristics of Barolo, with grand structure, excellent alcohol concentration and tannins capable of long ageing. The palate opens up gradually and becomes most expressive six years after harvest, when it is released for sale.
Food Suggestion: Best served with meat dishes, rich in intense and persistent aromas and flavours, such as joints of lamb.
Closure: Natural Cork ABV:14% Acidity [g/l]: 5.82 Classification: DOCG
