Massolino Barbaresco 2023
The Wine
Massolino's Barbaresco "classico" is a blend of three parcels in Neive: Albesani, Serraboella and Starderi. Albesani is probably the best-known; Serraboella, which accounts for the lion's share of the blend, is one of the most highly regarded sites in the eastern sector of Neive, on the preferred southwest-facing hill over lighter soils, while Starderi, on the sunnier western side of Neive, brings power and flesh. Natural fermentation takes place in large wooden fermenters, and the wine is aged for 18 months in large, 5,000-litre Slavonian oak barrels. The Galloni review below sums up this delicious wine well
96 Pts Antonio Galloni, Vinous ‘The 2023 Barbaresco is a blend of fruit from Albesani, Starderi and Serraboella, all co-fermented. Soft contours wrap around a core of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, blood orange, cinnamon and mint. This sensual, layered Barbaresco is inviting from the very first taste.’
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The Details
Variety - Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Piemonte
Sub Region - Barbaresco
Extra - Cork
Year - 2023
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
