Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva 2019 750ml

Vigna Rionda is universally considered, by those with a deep knowledge of the Barolo region and Serralunga, as one of the region’s greatest crus. It is also the vineyard most closely associated with Massolino, who are the largest owners with 3.5 hectares under vine. The Massolino family has farmed this site since 1956 with later purchases in 1967, 1985 and 1987, expanding their holdings to today’s levels. The vineyard’s reputation is well deserved—the site consistently produces brilliant, long-lived Barolos that possess a special completeness. Massolino does not use all their harvested fruit for the single vineyard release; they make a strict selection, and only bottle about a third of the potential volume under this label, with the rest going into the classic Barolo.

There is very little topsoil in Vigna Rionda, with a high concentration of limestone, oxidised iron and other mineral elements. This soil can be traced back to the Lequio Formation, the oldest soil of the Barolo area. The limestone content (around 20%) is one of the highest in the region, limiting vine vigour and ensuring full phenolic ripeness of the grapes. Other features include the altitude of 250 to 360 metres, and the site’s south-southwest aspect which protects the vines from northerly winds and frost.

Combined, the unique position and soils of Vigna Rionda create wines with an optimum balance of perfume, finesse, concentration and structure. Excellent acidity and tannins are a feature, so the wines benefit from longer aging in botti and in bottle. This is why Massolino always release Vigna Rionda as a Riserva, with a minimum of six years of age. Again, it is fermented in large wooden fermenters and aged exclusively in large wooden botti for 2.5 years, with the rest of the aging in bottle.

There’s not much we can add to the notes below except to say that the 2019 Vigna Riona is a beautifully balanced Barolo that combines the power and flesh of the vintage with excellent structure and lifted perfume. It’s an iron fist in a velvet glove, and another example of why this vineyard is so renowned.

“The Massolino 2019 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is quite special in that it offers dark fruit, tar, campfire ash and burnt ember. It shows the power and heft of the vintage with the concentration, although in appearance, the wine is shiny and bright. It has a very beautiful mouthfeel with a glossy sheen to the tannins. In fact, the palate is the best part of this expertly crafted Riserva. It comes together with more dark fruit and savory tobacco.” 97 points