2015 Massolino Barolo Parafada DOCG, Piedmont

In 1957, Parafada became the Massolino family’s first prime parcel of Serralunga and it is still home to their oldest vines (now almost 60 years old). Massolino own a 1.13 hectare parcel that rises steeply from 300 to 340 metres above sea level and faces due south, catching the full face of the sun. These factors, plus the denser, marly, lime-infused, more compact clay soils, typically result in the richest, most powerful wine of the three Serralunga crus. This is a vineyard that offers finer and finer wines with each vintage, better balanced and more delicious wines than ever before. There’s always a deeper, denser register here than the Margheria—terroir aside, Massolino’s old vines produce smaller berries with more concentrated fruit as a result. The 2015 Parafada is a beauty. A lifted, ferrous and dark cherry nose with hints of leather spice leads to a wonderfully fleshy, layered and mouthwatering palate with very, very fine tannins. Expect waves of damson plum, tobacco, Campari, as well as nutmeg and white pepper spice. Perhaps the best young Parafada we’ve tasted. Full stop.

“The 2015 Barolo Parafada is another gorgeous wine in this lineup. As always, the Parafada is defined by its huge center of fruit and ample, broad-shouldered feel. Whereas Margheria and Vigna Rionda - the other two Serralunga Barolos in this range - are more aromatically expressive, the Parafada is a wine of density and mid-palate resonance. These vines, planted in 1960 (the estate’s oldest) confer weight and gravitas. In this vintage, the Parafada is particularly beautiful.” 

“The 2015 Barolo Parafada sees fruit sourced from 61-year-old vineyards planted in a spot with a steep incline that requires back-breaking labor to farm. The wine's aromas are beautifully presented and rich with black cherry and dried plum. In the mouth, this wine is generous with thick fiber and ample volume. Give it time to whittle down just a bit with extra bottle aging.”