Product Information:
An exceptional release for a wine that is, as always, wonderful value and an archetypical Serralunga Barolo. Aromatically there's an abundance of red fruits trailed by dried flowers, iron and resinous notes. The palate is supple, has suave cherry fruit and is superfine, with its long, chewy tannins. Not as powerful as those from the drier 2019 season, but the balance and elegance are unmistakable. In spite of its immediate appeal, Franco Massolino and Giovanni Angeli believe that 2020 will age in line with their best years. So, you really get the best of both worlds: a terrific year for aging and a Barolo to decant now. Surely, a good reason to grab two or more.
This cuvée spent around 20 days on skins, and the final blend matured for 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks.
Renowned wine critic Antonio Galloni of Vinous has praises Massolino's 2020 range, “Grace, elegance and understatement are some of the qualities readers will find in the 2020 Barolos. The best wines are undeniably striking … Overall, 2020 is a vintage of mid-weight Barolos. These are wines to admire for their balance and seductive appeal more than their power or structure.” A promising year from one of Piemonte's crown jewels.
Maker:
Massolino is rightly regarded as one of Piemonte’s most treasured estates. Founded in 1896 by the visionary Giovanni Massolino - who famously brought electricity to the town - the estate is located in the picturesque Serralunga d’Alba, a prime sub-zone of Barolo.
The high-altitude, chalky hillsides of Serralunga d’Alba, situated on the eastern edge of the Barolo DOCG, produce some of the most profound and age-worthy Barolo wines. This area is home to legendary names like Giacomo Conterno and Bruno Giacosa, with vineyards such as Falletto adding to its prestige.
First produced in 1911, the fruit for Massolino’s classic cuvée is selected from seven sites across roughly seven hectares of prime-sited Serralunga vineyards. Today, the estate is under the stewardship of Franco and Roberto Massolino, collaborating with the talented former Vajra winemaker, Giovanni Angeli. Their most important of these sites - Briccolina, Collareto, Broglio and Le Turne - are dotted around the town itself (Le Turne borders Margheria, while Collareto lies next to Vigna Rionda where they are the largest holders with 3.5 hectares of vines, between 40-50 years old. So we are talking quality real estate.
In recent years, Massolino has made significant strides in quality, particularly in vineyard practices. The estate has been organic for six years and has not used herbicides for a decade. The evolution in vineyard management, including increased grass cover and minimal use of systemic chemicals, has further chiselled out the character of their wines, showcasing the true potential of this iconic estate.
Worth noting, along side Massolino’s Barolo, there's a good deal of excitement for their early drinking releases; the outstanding quality at the top end flows through the Estate’s entire suite of wines. Critic Nick Stock has noted that “[Massollino] not only delivers admirable top-end nebbiolo wines, which is ultimately what it will be judged on, but it also makes a near-perfect range that starts with the delicious dolcetto and runs seamlessly through the barbera, to basic nebbiolo before arriving at the top tier wines.” The same can be said of the convivial additions of Riesling and Moscato d'asti in the range.
Today the Nebbiolo-based wines of Massolino sit shoulder to shoulder with the finest of the region - they are wines of wonderful purity and elegance. In one sense they are ‘traditional’ and yet they offer the best of the “old” and “new” worlds: pure, aromatic, textural, deeply flavoured wines that are at the same time precise, vibrant and distinctly regional.
Critic Antonio Galloni states, “Massolino is another winery that has been on a roll of late. These new releases are stellar. The single-vineyard wines, both Barolo and Barbaresco, are now fermented in wood uprights. As impressive as the top wines are here, Massolino also excels with a range of entry-level offerings that offer fabulous quality and value. Bravo.”
Vineyard:
Massolino’s cellarmaster, Giovanni Angeli, encapsulated the vintage perfectly when he remarked that if delicious wines weren’t made in 2020, something had gone awry. “It was a great harvest,” says Angeli. “Definitely one of the few positive memories from this challenging year!” Good snowfall in winter ensured that the vines faced no hydric stress despite a dry summer, and the growing season was largely regular, interrupted only by some heat spikes in August.
Massolino’s Nebbiolo vintage commenced at the beginning of October, under mild weather and cool nights. Vinifications proceeded smoothly, with the Barolo wines naturally fermenting on their skins for three weeks in large oak fermenters. The resulting wines are beautifully expressive, aromatic, and supple, showcasing excellent freshness and classic tannins.
During the tasting in November, the overall impression was one of finesse, vibrant purity, and fine structure, suggesting that the wines will be approachable from a young age. Each wine beautifully expressed its unique terroir. While they are not as powerful as those from the drier 2019 season, the balance and elegance are unmistakable—quite remarkable in this era of changing climate. Franco Massolino and Giovanni Angeli believe that 2020 will age in line with their best years. So, we get the best of both worlds: a terrific year for aging and restaurant drinking alike.
Nose - Savoury Cherry, Dried Flowers, Balsamic
Opening with aromas of crushed red fruits and a bouquet of bay leaf, balsam, and sandalwood that slowly lift from the glass.
Palate - Supple Red Fruits, Stones, Herbs
he palate is rounded and pretty - soft tannins make it immediately accessible.
Finish - Orange Zest, Clove, Long Chewy Tannins
A savoury backbone is brightened by hints of orange zest and clove, creating an approachable yet complex profile that is ready to be enjoyed now.
Bright and lively red fruit character with dried flowers, stones and hints of tree resin. Medium-bodied, clean and focused on the palate, with fine tannins and a linear finish. Shows freshness and poise. Polished. Try from 2027, but already a joy to taste. - James Suckling, jamesuckling.com, 94 Points.
Lustrous mid ruby. Richness of fruit on the nose with a hint of gingerbread. With aeration opens up to savoury cherry, if still a little subdued. Supple, suave cherry fruit with superfine, long, chewy tannins. A pretty wine. - Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com, 17+ Points.
Opening with aromas of crushed red fruits and a bouquet of bay leaf, balsam, and sandalwood that slowly lift from the glass. The palate is rounded and pretty—soft tannins make it immediately accessible. A savoury backbone is brightened by hints of orange zest and clove, creating an approachable yet complex profile that is ready to be enjoyed now. - WineEnthusiast.com, 93 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Piedmont
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%
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