[SOLD-OUT] Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda 2012

 

“If you ask a resident of Serralunga to name the town’s three finest vineyards, one of the trio is sure to be Vigna Rionda … It is an historic vineyard. The quality of its grapes has been celebrated for hundreds of years and the greatest names in the Langhe have for many years made special efforts to acquire grapes from Vigna Rionda.” - Slow Food’s A Wine Atlas of the Langhe (2008)

 

"Vigna Rionda is historically the most revered vineyard of Serralunga, renowned for finesse and yet the longevity of the Barolo wines it is able to produce. The soil here is similar to the Parafada vineyard (limey/chalky marls), yet it is deeper, there is both more chalk and a higher concentration of minerals and oxidised iron elements. The deeper soils, the altitude of 330-metres above sea level and the protection from northern winds and frost that the south/southwestern slopes afford, means that Vigna Rionda has a longer growing season than the other crus.

All these factors combine to gift wines with an optimum balance of perfume, finesse and structure rarely found elsewhere in Barolo. It also produces a wine with excellent acidity and tannins that require a longer ageing in botti and bottle. That is why it is released with a minimum six years of age. The Massolino family are the largest holders in the Vigna Rionda with 3.5-hectares (two planted to Nebbiolo/38-45-year-old vines) in this 10-hectare vineyard. The wine from this exceptional site begins life as a coiled spring, which is why Massolino releases it with extra age: six years for the standard Riserva release and ten-plus years for the Dieci X Anni release (of which there is no release this year).

With enough age, Vigna Rionda blossoms into an intensely perfumed, ultra-fine, pure and succulent wine with very fine tannins. And that is exactly what you get with the 2012. It's a wine that is already showing a core of sweet Pinot-like red and blackberry fruit, backed by fine silky tannins and a classic chalky imprint of Serralunga. This gorgeous Barolo tapers to a spicy-sweet, complex finish that goes on and on. We love it too, Antonio!" - Bibendum

 

“Readers will find a silky, nuanced Barolo in the 2012 Riserva Vigna Rionda. Rose water, orange zest, cinnamon, sage, mint and dried cherry are some of the many nuances that give the 2012 its aromatic top notes, and all of the elements fall into place effortlessly. Relatively open-knit for a young Rionda, this should drink well with minimal cellaring. I loved it.” - Antonio Galloni

 

"Just mid ruby. Very fine, yet concentrated and with depth on the nose. Lots of concentrated raspberry fruit and yet remains completely transparent. Mouthfilling aromas and chewy tannins. Grand cru pedigree." - JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 Points

 

"I always look forward to tasting this wine. Massolino truly captures the heart and spirit of Serralunga d'Alba, thanks to this special single-vineyard selection. The 2012 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda hails from a warm vintage, and the wine transmits that warmth and opulence in a very natural and transparent manner. Both the bouquet and the mouthfeel show a very successful level of integration. The dark fruit is linked immediately to spice and smoke. The tannins finish on a polished, silky note." Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

 

Country:

Italy

Region:

Italy - Barolo

Variety:

Wine Red - Nebbiolo

Size:

750mL