2021 Massolino Barolo DOCG, Piedmont

The Massolino 2021 Barolo reveals a shiny ruby color and a core of dark fruit. Beyond the plummy fruit is tar, licorice, pressed flower and campfire ash. This wine has a pronounced savory side, yet it all fits squarely into a very delicate and finessed delivery. This is a pretty example of the vintage.

94 points Monica Larner robertparker.com

Massolino Barolo from Piedmont is a benchmark expression of Nebbiolo from one of the Langhe’s most respected family estates. Founded in 1896 and based in the historic village of Serralunga d’Alba, the Massolino family has long been synonymous with traditional Barolo — wines that balance depth and structure with purity, perfume and timeless elegance. The estate’s classic Barolo captures the essence of Serralunga’s limestone-rich soils and the finesse that comes from over a century of thoughtful winemaking.

The fruit for this wine comes from several estate vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba, where high-altitude slopes and calcareous marl soils produce grapes of great intensity and natural tannin. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel with long maceration on skins to extract colour, perfume and structure. Maturation follows in large Slavonian oak casks for around thirty months, allowing the wine to develop complexity and refinement while maintaining Nebbiolo’s purity and energy.

In the glass it shows deep garnet with orange reflections at the rim. The aroma is complex and alluring, revealing dark cherry, rose petal and violets with hints of tar, spice, dried herbs and earthy truffle. On the palate it is full bodied and structured yet beautifully balanced, showing layers of red fruit, tobacco and mineral with firm but fine tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long, savoury and elegant, showcasing the power and grace that make Serralunga Barolo so distinctive.

Massolino Barolo pairs perfectly with slow-cooked beef, osso buco, porcini risotto or aged Parmigiano Reggiano. It also complements game dishes and truffle-infused cuisine. While approachable after a few years in bottle, it will cellar effortlessly for 15 to 20 years, evolving into a wine of haunting complexity and charm.