2004 BAROLO, Vigna Rionda, X Anni, Massolino. Piedmont, Italy (Magnum)

Alba, south of Turin, is the main wine town of Piedmont, home of both the revered white truffle and the great wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. This wine comes from one of the great villages of Barolo, Serralunga.
Vigna Rionda is one of the great ‘Cru’ vineyards in the zone, only 2.5 hectares and exactly mid-slope.

100% Nebbiolo, matured in traditional style in large Slovenian oak casks for 3 and half years

Franco Massolino makes both old-school and modern Barolo, this being a classic / tradtional example, with long maceration and oak ageing.

“Maturing mid ruby with only a very narrow, orange-tinged rim. This is what Barolo is about: cherry, earth undergrowth and hints of dried fruit, which do not take the upper hand. Lovely supple, tangy fruit that hasn’t lost any of its lustre, perfectly balanced with chewy tannins. Already impossible to resist, but not nearly at its peak. 18/20”. Walter Speller on jancisrobinson.com