Massolino Barolo 2021

Region and Vineyards

Lying on the eastern flank of the Barolo zone, Serralunga d'Alba rises to 360 m and is renowned for soils rich in calcareous marl interlaced with sandstone. This compact matrix drains quickly, forcing vines to drive roots deep, a key to Nebbiolo's celebrated concentration and longevity. Warm days are tempered by cool Alpine currents, extending ripening and preserving acidity, while the valley's morning fogs gently modulate photosynthesis.

Massolino farms some 24 ha under sustainable practices, selecting parcels between 280 m and 360 m for the Barolo DOCG bottling. Exposures vary—predominantly south-facing—giving a mosaic of micro-terroirs whose fruit is harvested and vinified separately before blending. Vines average 35 years and are trained Guyot with densities of roughly 5,800 plants/ha, yielding berries of modest size and thick skins packed with tannin, aromatics and that signature hint of iron-toned minerality.

Winemaking

Hand-picked in mid-October 2021, the clusters underwent meticulous sorting before a traditional fermentation in upright oak fermenters at ~30 °C. Maceration lasted nearly three weeks with regular délestage to gently extract color and fine tannins while maintaining aromatic purity. Malolactic conversion completed naturally in late winter.

Ageing followed in 4 000-5 000 L Slavonian botti for up to 30 months, a regime that polishes texture without imprinting overt oak flavors. After assemblage, the wine rested for a further year in Massolino's underground cellars prior to release, emerging at 14-14.5 % vol alcohol, 6.0 g/L total acidity and a dry extract that underpins notable structure and ageing potential well past 2040.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Lustrous medium-garnet core shading to a delicate ruby rim.
• Aroma: Rose petal, wild strawberry and orange peel glide above nuances of star anise, tobacco leaf, iron filings and truffle.
• Palate: Medium-full bodied; lively acidity threads through ripe Morello cherry, blood-orange zest and savory licorice. Tannins are taut yet velvety, tapering into a long, balsamic-mineral finish.

Did you know?

Founded in 1896, the Massolino family not only pioneered quality viticulture in Serralunga but also introduced the village's first electricity generator—powering both the cantina and the local community, a visionary blend of progress and tradition that still guides the estate today.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Braised veal cheek with Barolo-infused jus—mirrors the wine's depth and tannin.
• Porcini mushroom risotto—earthy umami elevates the truffle and forest notes.
• Tajarin with white truffle—Piedmont's classic pasta amplifies floral aromatics.
• Aged Parmigiano Reggiano—crystalline texture meets Nebbiolo's firm structure.

History of Massolino

Founded in 1896 by Giovanni Massolino, the estate is one of the oldest and most iconic producers in Serralunga d'Alba, a commune revered for yielding the most powerful and long-lived Barolos. Giovanni, a pioneer for his time, was instrumental in introducing electricity to the village—an emblem of his progressive mindset, which would become a family trait.

In 1934, the estate joined the Consorzio per la Tutela del Barolo e Barbaresco, further cementing its leadership in promoting the Langhe's quality standards. The third generation—Giovanni, Camilla, and Renato—deepened the estate's commitment to crus, acquiring premier vineyards in Margheria, Parafada, and later the legendary Vigna Rionda. The fourth generation, represented by Franco and Roberto Massolino, has expanded the estate's holdings beyond Barolo to include Barbaresco and Moscato d'Asti, while continuing to honour its deep family roots and winemaking identity.

Massolino has never strayed from its core philosophy: wines must reflect their place. This is done through meticulous farming, minimal intervention in the cellar, and aging choices that highlight Nebbiolo's noble austerity.

Region and Vineyards

Massolino is based in Serralunga d'Alba, a commune in Barolo renowned for producing structured, intense, and age-worthy wines, largely due to its compact marl and limestone-rich soils from the Lequio formation. The estate cultivates 43 hectares of vines, primarily Nebbiolo, but also Dolcetto, Barbera, Chardonnay, and Moscato.

The crown jewel of Massolino's vineyard holdings is the Vigna Rionda cru, one of Barolo's most storied sites. South-west facing at around 330 metres altitude, this vineyard is celebrated for its complexity, mineral depth, and longevity. Here, the wines exhibit the hallmark structure of Serralunga, but with more finesse and aromatic layering.

In addition to Vigna Rionda, Massolino also owns plots in Parafada (south-facing, producing rich and spicy Barolo), Margheria (a cooler site with finesse and floral lift), and Parussi, a notable site in Castiglione Falletto that brings balance and elegance to the lineup.

In recent years, Massolino expanded into Barbaresco, acquiring vines in the Albesani MGA, further diversifying its expressions of Nebbiolo while maintaining the estate's stylistic signature of clarity and terroir expression.

Wine Range of Massolino

Massolino's wine range showcases both indigenous Piedmontese grapes and international varieties with site precision. Their flagship wines are the Barolo classico, produced from multiple sites in Serralunga, and the single-vineyard Barolo crus, notably Vigna Rionda Riserva, Margheria, Parafada, and Parussi.

In addition to Nebbiolo-based wines, the estate crafts Barbera d'Alba Gisep, Langhe Nebbiolo, Dolcetto d'Alba, and Langhe Chardonnay. Its Moscato d'Asti from vines in Castiglione Tinella reflects aromatic charm and impeccable freshness.

The wines are known for their precision, purity, and age-worthiness, with a stylistic leaning toward traditional winemaking: long macerations, aging in large Slavonian oak casks, and restrained use of new oak to preserve varietal and terroir expression.

Did you know?

Massolino was one of the first producers in Serralunga to bottle Barolo from a single cru—Vigna Rionda—in 1982, long before single-vineyard wines became the norm. This early commitment to terroir expression anticipated a broader shift in Barolo's identity.