"Massolino is another winery that has been on a roll of late. These new releases are stellar." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
One of Piedmont's leading lights, Massolino is a perennial standout among Piedmont fans for their super-refined, elegant house style. From the village wines to the single-cru expressions, you'll find captivating profiles that have won critical accolades year in and year out. We just landed a parcel of new releases showcasing the impeccable excellence that characterizes every bottle of Massolino.
The 2021 Barolo vintage is one for the record books, and now that the wines are hitting the market, it's clear that they hype is real. Massolino's Barolo normale is "a fabulous wine that shows both the quality of the year and the very high standards at Massolino, while the single-vineyard wines are simply stunning masterpieces. The 2021 Parafada's critical line is bursting with effusive praise, led by 98 points from Kerin O'Keefe and additional 97-point scores from Wine Spectator, Suckling, and Wine Advocate. The triple 96-point Margheria is likewise "classy and utterly delicious," a resounding triumph for this hallowed Serralunga cru.
The icing on the cake, however, is the estate's 2019 Vigna Rionda Riserva, another superlative expression from a benchmark vintage. A pair of 98-point scores from Spectator and O'Keefe shine a bright light on the Vigna Rionda's impeccable pedigree, while Antonio Galloni calls it "a wine of elegance and poise" perfectly in keeping with Massolino's hallmark style, even in a vintage like 2019. Spectator likewise dubs it a "fresh, multidimensional and built for the long haul" that collectors can confidently stock up on for decades of future enjoyment.
There's nothing quite so thrilling as a benchmark Barolo estate in an epic vintage, and this set from Massolino provide ample proof that these remains some of the most compelling collectible wines in the world.
Stitched with concentrated flavors of cherry, black currant, plum, tar, iron and tobacco, this red combines power and finesse, with savory notes of eucalyptus and wild rosemary adding detail. There are still tannins to resolve, yet this remains fresh, multidimensional and built for the long haul. Superb aftertaste. Best from 2028 through 2050. 982 cases made, 300 cases imported.
98 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Jan 2026)
The impressive 2019 Vigna Rionda Riserva from Massolino captivates with its combination of structure, intensity and elegance. It opens with classic Barolo aromas of red berry, wild rose, dark spice, leather and a balsamic whiff of camphor that on the composed, full-bodied palate segue into more defined sensations of crushed raspberry, cranberry, licorice and tobacco. Showing the nuance of this extraordinary vintage, it's still youthfully austere, with a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity that lends youthful tension. This is one I'd love to try again in ten years or so.
98 points, Kerin O'Keefe (Jan 2025)
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, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jun 2025)
A slightly old-fashioned and aromatic wine with notes of coffee grounds, leather, prunes and licorice. The attack is lush, with a full body, velvety condensed tannins, refreshing acidity and intoxicating prunes and umami in the dusty finish. Poised and balanced despite its structure. Try from 2026.
97 points, Aldo Fiordelli, James Suckling (Jan 2025)
From the first parcel acquired in 1956 to subsequent purchases in 1967, 1986 and 1990, Massolino is now the largest landowner in Vignarionda, with approximately 3.5ha. It is bottled separately only as a Riserva – and not every vintage. The 2019 demonstrates the cool, elegant character of the vintage. It starts with subtle spicy snaps of pepper and sage against a rhubarb background. Eventually, flint and garden rose come to the fore. The palate is like biting into a perfectly ripe pomegranate with a crunch of the seeds, tartness of juice and cleansing tannins. Beautifully sculpted with toned muscles and proper thrilling grip, a sophisticated bottling packing nothing extraneous.
97 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter (Jan 2025)
The 2019 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is a wine of elegance and poise. Given the style of the year, I expected a more austere young Rionda. Today, it surprises with its relatively open-knit personality. There's plenty of depth and structure, but the 2019 is neither austere nor forbidding. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, white pepper and mint build nicely as this shows off its charms.
96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jan 2025)
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