2012 Massolino, Barolo, Vignarionda Riserva

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. Production numbers are limited to around 8,500 bottles.

The 2012 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda shows the greater balance of a wine that is close to being bottled. All the elements are finely knit in this deeply expressive, nuanced Barolo. Sweet red cherry, menthol and floral notes abound in a silky, highly expressive Barolo that captures the essence of Rionda. I can't wait to taste this from bottle.

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. Austere, yet delicious. Grand cru pedigree. (WS)

Very dry fruit and not much complexity on show either. Husky. Really pithy and tight, and not hugely pleasurable. (RH)