Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo DOCG
Variety: Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2018
The Wine
Founded in 1896, Massolino has long been one of the benchmark estates of Serralunga d'Alba, a commune revered for producing some of Barolo's most structured, age-worthy wines. Now in its sixth generation, the family remains steadfastly traditional, championing long macerations and extended ageing in large Slavonian oak casks to produce wines that speak clearly of site rather than cellar technique. While Massolino's single-vineyard Barolos—Vigna Rionda, Margheria and Parafada—have achieved cult status, their "normale" Barolo is widely regarded as one of Piedmont's greatest values.
The 2018 vintage is particularly fascinating. Rather than bottle their celebrated single-vineyard Barolos, the Massolino family made the difficult decision to declassify the fruit and produce only one Barolo. As a result, this wine contains fruit that would ordinarily have gone into Vigna Rionda, Margheria, Parafada and Parussi—arguably making it one of the greatest "classic" Barolos the estate has ever released.
Fruit is sourced predominantly from mature vineyards across Serralunga d'Alba, where compact calcareous marl and sandstone soils naturally produce Nebbiolo of depth, tannin and remarkable longevity. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with extended skin contact before the wine spends approximately 24 months ageing in large Slavonian oak botti. This traditional approach softens the formidable structure of Serralunga Nebbiolo while preserving purity, perfume and the unmistakable mineral character of the commune.
The result is a beautifully classical Barolo that combines floral aromatics, bright red fruit and fine mineral tension with the structure to reward many years in the cellar. It offers a rare opportunity to experience fruit from some of Barolo's greatest crus at a fraction of what those individual bottlings command.
Cellared Says
This is one of those wines that should be on every Barolo lover's radar. The decision not to bottle the single vineyards transformed what is normally Massolino's entry Barolo into something altogether more serious. It's a wonderful example of traditional Barolo from one of Serralunga's finest estates, and for the money, I struggle to think of many wines in Piedmont that offer better value. Buy a six-pack, enjoy one now with a long decant and quietly forget the rest in the cellar for the next decade. This has been professional stored in our cellar since release.
Reviews
"It opens with heady scents of eucalyptus, pine forest, hay, new leather and lilac. Extremely elegant, the savory, vibrant palate exhibits red cherry, juniper berry and star anise set against taut, refined tannins and bright acidity."
96 Points – Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
"Pure, yet savory, with a stony, mineral punch to the orange peel, strawberries and dried herbs... elegant but gutsy flavors of minerals and fruit, together with firm tannins that show Barolo etherealness and power at the same time."
94 Points – James Suckling
"The 2018 Barolo offers a classic interpretation of Serralunga d'Alba with big structure, ample but contained power and lots of black fruit and licorice... aged in large oak casks for 24 months."
93 Points – Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2018 Barolo is the only Barolo Massolino bottled in this vintage... Sweet dried cherry, mint, tobacco, spice, licorice and rose petal all open effortlessly in the glass... an absolutely lovely wine to savor over the next 10–15 years."
92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo DOCG
Variety: Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2018
The Wine
Founded in 1896, Massolino has long been one of the benchmark estates of Serralunga d'Alba, a commune revered for producing some of Barolo's most structured, age-worthy wines. Now in its sixth generation, the family remains steadfastly traditional, championing long macerations and extended ageing in large Slavonian oak casks to produce wines that speak clearly of site rather than cellar technique. While Massolino's single-vineyard Barolos—Vigna Rionda, Margheria and Parafada—have achieved cult status, their "normale" Barolo is widely regarded as one of Piedmont's greatest values.
The 2018 vintage is particularly fascinating. Rather than bottle their celebrated single-vineyard Barolos, the Massolino family made the difficult decision to declassify the fruit and produce only one Barolo. As a result, this wine contains fruit that would ordinarily have gone into Vigna Rionda, Margheria, Parafada and Parussi—arguably making it one of the greatest "classic" Barolos the estate has ever released.
Fruit is sourced predominantly from mature vineyards across Serralunga d'Alba, where compact calcareous marl and sandstone soils naturally produce Nebbiolo of depth, tannin and remarkable longevity. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with extended skin contact before the wine spends approximately 24 months ageing in large Slavonian oak botti. This traditional approach softens the formidable structure of Serralunga Nebbiolo while preserving purity, perfume and the unmistakable mineral character of the commune.
The result is a beautifully classical Barolo that combines floral aromatics, bright red fruit and fine mineral tension with the structure to reward many years in the cellar. It offers a rare opportunity to experience fruit from some of Barolo's greatest crus at a fraction of what those individual bottlings command.
Cellared Says
This is one of those wines that should be on every Barolo lover's radar. The decision not to bottle the single vineyards transformed what is normally Massolino's entry Barolo into something altogether more serious. It's a wonderful example of traditional Barolo from one of Serralunga's finest estates, and for the money, I struggle to think of many wines in Piedmont that offer better value. Buy a six-pack, enjoy one now with a long decant and quietly forget the rest in the cellar for the next decade. This has been professional stored in our cellar since release.
Reviews
"It opens with heady scents of eucalyptus, pine forest, hay, new leather and lilac. Extremely elegant, the savory, vibrant palate exhibits red cherry, juniper berry and star anise set against taut, refined tannins and bright acidity."
96 Points – Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
"Pure, yet savory, with a stony, mineral punch to the orange peel, strawberries and dried herbs... elegant but gutsy flavors of minerals and fruit, together with firm tannins that show Barolo etherealness and power at the same time."
94 Points – James Suckling
"The 2018 Barolo offers a classic interpretation of Serralunga d'Alba with big structure, ample but contained power and lots of black fruit and licorice... aged in large oak casks for 24 months."
93 Points – Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2018 Barolo is the only Barolo Massolino bottled in this vintage... Sweet dried cherry, mint, tobacco, spice, licorice and rose petal all open effortlessly in the glass... an absolutely lovely wine to savor over the next 10–15 years."
92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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