97 points, Vinous
|
95 points, Wine Spectator
|
94 points, Wine Advocate
|
92 points, Wine Enthusiast
|
92 points, Vinous
|
About the Wine
Critic Reviews
97 points, Vinous
95 points, Wine Spectator
94 points, Wine Advocate
92 points, Vinous
92 points, Wine Enthusiast
92 points, Wine Enthusiast
“The 2016 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is absolutely stunning. Deep and statuesque in bearing, 2016 captivates all the senses from start to finish. A whole range of Rionda aromatics soars out of the glass. Silky and yet powerful, gracious, and yet full of gravitas, 2016 captures all the contrasts that make Barolo such an alluring wine. Rose petal, lavender, red/purplish fruit, spice, and new leather lend striking nuance to this hypnotic Barolo from Massolino.”
95 points, Wine Spectator
“A stream of pure, juicy cherry fruit is at the heart of this red, along with mineral, tobacco and wild herb notes. Firm and tightly wound, with a matrix of dense, refined tannins for support. All the elements are in the right proportions, this just needs time. Best from 2023 through 2045. From Italy.”
94 points, Wine Advocate
“The classic Massolino 2016 Barolo sources its fruit from Serralunga d’Alba, although a tiny percentage of Castiglione Falletto is part of the blend. This wine is linear and tight, with an arsenal of important Nebbiolo aromas ranging from red cherry and cassis to spice, smoke, licorice, dried ginger, rusty nail and blood orange. What really stands out is the structural importance of the wine. It delivers firmness and strength, while allowing the delicate side of the grape to coexist without interference. An ample 70,000 bottles of this well-priced Barolo were produced.”
92 points, Vinous
“Massolino’s 2016 Barolo is a gorgeous wine that brings together all the best qualities of the year. Bright and pliant, yet with terrific structural intensity, the 2016 is a wonderfully complete, harmonious Barolo that will delight readers for the next 15 to 20 years. Dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice add striking shades of nuance. Massolino’s straight Barolo is a fabulous wine in its peer group. Vineyard sources include Briccolina, Collareto, Brolio and Le Turne.”
92 points, Wine Enthusiast
“Red-berry, ground clove and rose-petal aromas appear in the glass. On the linear, elegantly structured, palate, white pepper, star anise and orange-zest notes accent a Marasca cherry core while firm fine-grained tannins provide support. It’s balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink 2024–2031.”
92 points, Wine Enthusiast
“Red-berry, ground clove and rose-petal aromas appear in the glass. On the linear, elegantly structured, palate, white pepper, star anise and orange-zest notes accent a Marasca cherry core while firm fine-grained tannins provide support. It’s balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink 2024–2031.”
About The Winery
The history of the Massolinos and their wine became entwined with the history of Serralunga d'Alba in 1896, when Giovanni Massolino founded the estate. An enterprising, tenacious, and creative man, Giovanni was the very first person to bring electricity to the village. Giovanni's son, Giuseppe, built Massolino's first wine cellar, extended the estate into the best soils, and in 1934 founded the Consortium for the Defence of Barolo and Barbaresco. Three of Giovanni's children later followed in his footsteps, expanding the estate with the purchase of cru vineyards which are authentic jewels: Margheria, Parafada, and Vigna Rionda. In the 1990s, Franco and Roberto, both oenologists, joined the family estate. Their work condenses the experience of an entire family and the ambition of a new generation, determined to make an important contribution to the innovation of oenological and agronomical techniques and to the image of the estate in Italy and abroad. Massolino makes wine with passion in its land of origin, preserving the typical characteristics of indigenous grape varieties. Central to the winery's philosophy is the conviction that there is a deep, tangible link between the vines, hills, and winegrowers, whose connection and affinity to the land grows more profound with each passing year.
