Massolino Barolo Parussi 2022
The Wine
This is the only Massolino Barolo cru that comes from a vineyard beyond the boundaries of Serralunga — "the egg outside the nest," as an old Piemontese saying goes. Having said that, it isn’t too far away, with the vineyard sitting on a ridge, right alongside the Serralunga boundary, just on the Castiglione Falletto side of the border. The blue, iron-rich Sant'Agata marls here carry more silt and less clay and limestone than in Serralunga, making for more vigorous vines and a distinct style for Massolino. The family was drawn to the excellent southeast-to-southwest exposure, the old vines (now almost 60 years) and the vineyard's 290-metre altitude. Early releases needed time in the cellar, but the wines have grown increasingly refined over the years, and Giovanni believes the vineyard has now found its sweet spot. As for all the crus, this was fermented in large oak fermenters and aged exclusively in large casks. The 2022 is absolutely outstanding, as the Galloni note below makes clear.
96 Pts Antonio Galloni, Vinous ‘The 2022 Barolo Parussi is fabulous. It’s the wine of the vintage at Massolino. Rich red/purplish-toned fruit, dried flowers, herbs, rose petal, white pepper and mint soar from the glass. The Parussi possesses uncommon depth and textural presence, exceedingly rare in 2022… More than anything else, Massolino's Parussi shows what was possible in this difficult vintage. This was the last fruit harvested.’
WINES DUE IN-STORE MID AUGUST 2026
Available for pre-purchase now!
The Details
Variety - Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Piemonte
Sub Region - Barolo
Extra - Cork
Year - 2022
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
