The history of the Massolinos and their wine became entwined with the history of Serralunga d’Alba in 1896, when Giovanni founded the Estate. The Massolino family has expanded its land holdings with the addition of Margheria (Serrelunga) in 1930's and Parussi (Castiglione Falletto) in the 1990's. - Ron van Vlaardingen
2016 Massolin Barolo Margheria
96 WS / 96 WE / 95+ VM / 95 WA / 17.5 JR
$85.00/bottle (In Stock Tomorrow) Buy Now
An enticing mix of fruit and savory, leather and cigar box aromas enhance the cherry and raspberry flavors in this taut, linear red. Eucalyptus and iron elements emerge on the long finish. Best from 2023 through 2048. From Italy. —B.S. – Wine Spectator
Demonstrating Serralunga's more elegant side thanks to soils that have higher than usual amounts of sand for the village, this offers enticing scents of red berry, iris, botanical herb and dark spice. Vibrant, structured and loaded with finesse, the linear palate offers crushed raspberry, dark cherry and star anise framed in taut, refined tannins. It's vibrant and balanced, with bright acidity. Drink 2026–2041. Kerin O’Keefe – Wine Enthusiast
The 2016 Barolo Margheria is super-refined and elegant, but it is also classically austere, as so many top wines are in this vintage. Bright red berry fruit, wild flowers, mint, blood orange, rose petal and cinnamon all grace this very pretty, nuanced Barolo. The Margheria is medium in body, and despite its austerity, it is also very pretty, not to mention incredibly inviting. It will be even better in another few years, once the tannins soften. Readers will have to be patient. Antonio Galoni – Vinous Media
The Massolino 2016 Barolo Margheria offers a plump and ripe fruit profile with aromas of dark cherry, blackberry and plum. Beyond that powerful primary bouquet are layers of spice, tobacco and crushed stone. Serralunga d'Alba often delivers ferrous mineral aromas that resemble iron ore and rusty nail, and those appear here too in a supporting role. The Margheria site shapes structured wines that are slightly more accessible, if you consider neighboring sites in Serralunga d'Alba, but it is also built for the long term should you decide to wait. The annual production of 8,000 bottles will hit the market in September 2020.
Serralunga d’Alba. Lustrous mid ruby. Lifted and a little floral. Fresh, sweet raspberry fruit with fine but firm tannins. Great balance between generous red fruit and supple acidity. Great length and generosity and yet poised. (WS) Alter Speller – Jancis Robinson
2016 Massolin Barolo Parussi
96 WA / 95 WS / 95 VM / 95 WE / 17.5+ JR
$85.00/bottle (In Stock Tomorrow) Buy Now
Of the four single-vineyard Baroli made by Massolino, the 2016 Barolo Parussi is the only one with fruit from Castiglione Falletto. This wine is elegant and tight, and it shows a superb level of Nebbiolo precision. That sharpness is built upon beautifully in a classic vintage such as 2016, and aromas of wild berry, earth, tobacco, licorice and dusty limestone come into startling focus. Parussi adopts a direct and linear approach with fine and polished tannins. In a portfolio that so closely monitors the taste profile of Serralunga d'Alba, this wine is the delightful outsider. They expect 6,800 bottles to hit the market in September 2020. Monica Larner – The Wine Advocate
Plum, black cherry and floral notes are framed by cigar box, eucalyptus, tar and iron in this intense, smoldering red. Right now it's a struggle between the expressive fruit and muscular tannins, so give it a decade at least before pulling the cork. Best from 2025 through 2050. 280 cases made, 125 cases imported. — BS – Wine Spectator
The 2016 Barolo Parussi is the most overt and fruity of the 2016s. That is not a bad thing at all, as it gives the wine striking immediacy and mid-palate sweetness. Succulent red and purplish berry fruit, spice and mint come together in the glass. Silky, floral and medium in body, the Parussi captures all of the sensuality that is typical of the Barolos of Castiglione Falletto. Best of all, the Parussi will drink well earlier than the wines from Serralunga will.
-- Antonio Galloni – Vinous Media
Pipe-tobacco, scorched earth and underbrush aromas mingle with whiffs of camphor and dark-skinned berry on this full-bodied red. It's firmly structured, featuring raspberry compote and licorice flavors framed in assertive, close-grained tannins that grip the finish. Youthfully austere and tightly wound, it needs several more years to fully integrate. Drink 2026–2046. Kerin O’Keefe – Wine Enthusiast
Castiglione Falletto. Quite firm and monolithic on the nose but with great depth and minerality. Tightly wound, youthful red fruit with bags of polished tannins. Still very compact. Impressive depth and fine complexity on the finish. (WS) Walter Speller – Jancis Robinson
