Massolino Barbera d'Alba 2024
The Wine
Massolino’s two hectares of Barbera, planted across their limestone-rich Serralunga vineyards, are now complemented by fruit from Monforte d’Alba. This bright, delicious, drink-now style of Barbera was fermented for 10 to 12 days in stainless steel and cement tanks. It was then raised in the same vessels for a short period before bottling and release. As always, meticulous selection, impressive vineyards and low yields form the blueprint. It’s bright and refreshing, with gorgeous bitter cherry and amaro-like, macerated orange rind notes woven through the perfumed and sparklingly pure palate. The 2024 season was a wet one that brought more delicate wines, and this is a superb example, with the mouthwatering finish bringing a saline edge, and just the right twist of refreshing bitterness.
90 Pts Antonio Galloni, Vinous ‘The 2024 Barbera d'Alba is a delight. Soft and understated, with lovely mid-palate depth, the 2024 is a tasty Barbera to drink now and over the next handful of years. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco build nicely in glass.’
WINES DUE IN-STORE MID AUGUST 2026
Available for pre-purchase now!
The Details
Variety - Barbera
Country - Italy
Region - Piemonte
Sub Region - Alba
Extra - Screwcap
Year - 2024
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Founded in 1896 by the enterprising Giovanni Massolino—he was the first to bring electricity to the town—the estate is based in and around the town of Serralunga d’Alba, one of the prime sub-zones of Barolo. Today, the keys of this historical estate belong to Franco and Roberto Massolino who work with gifted, ex-Vajra winemaker Giovanni Angeli. Behind Massolino’s rise to the apex of Barolo lies their remarkable collections of Serralunga vineyards, including choice parcels of such famous sites as; Margheria, Parafada and the legendary Vigna Rionda where the Massolino family is the largest holders with 3.5 hectares of vines (two are planted to Nebbiolo) between 40 and 50 years old. Outside of this commune, Massolino also tends vines in the great Parussi Cru of Castiglione Falletto.
The high-altitude chalky hillsides of Serrralunga d’Alba, on the eastern edge of the Barolo DOCG, produce some of the most profound and long-lived Barolo wines. It is the home of great names such as Giacomo Conterno and Bruno Giacosa’s Falletto vineyard. The wines often have an extra stuffing of intense Nebbiolo fruit as well as a remarkable minerality that plays on both the freshness of the tannins and gives the wines a certain ferrous edge when young.
There are many great things to write about Massolino, a family winery based in Serralunga d'Alba. As I reflect on these wines, I am struck by the harmony and perfection of the overall portfolio: the clear identity of each product and its placement within the Massolino quality pyramid and the crescendo of wines that culminates with a truly memorable single-vineyard Baroli and the top-shelf Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda. The portfolio has a few unexpected surprises too, such as a very elegant Moscato d'Asti and a cheerful Riesling.” Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
