Massolino Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2011 750ml

From one of the most celebrated vineyards in the entire Barolo denomination, this gorgeous wine boasts captivating aromas of new leather, underbrush, ripe berry, tobacco, a whiff of tilled soil and a balsamic note. Seamlessly combining elegance and structure, the long, compelling palate delivers layers of juicy black cherry, ripe raspberry, licorice and clove alongside a backbone of noble tannins. It’s already a fantastic showing and will age wonderfully for decades.

The 2011 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is one of the surprises in this tasting. From a warm and very dry year, the 2011 possesses gorgeous inner perfume and tons of character. It is just approaching the early part of its first plateau of maturity. I don’t expect this to be especially long-lived Vigna Rionda, but it is quite compelling today.

The 2011 Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva is an exuberant and expressive wine with dark cherry fruit, spice, tobacco and black truffle. There is a pretty earthy quality on hand that is delivered in an elegant and understated manner. What I like most about this wine is that it does not show evident signs of the warm summer growing season. Any extra fruit ripeness or sweetness is carefully tucked in at the back. Give this Riserva another ten years of bottle aging to let it flesh out further.

The velvety texture sets the stage for cherry, strawberry, leather and spice notes in this red. Juicy acidity carries the excellent finish, building in freshness and complexity from beginning to end. Approachable now, but should be better in a year or two. Best from 2020 through 2035. 1,415 cases made.

Aromas of mushrooms, rose petals and blackberries follow through to a full to medium body, tight tannins and a fruity finish. Needs time to open. Better in 2020. Impressive.

Color: Bright garnet red. Bouquet: Reveals multiple broad and enveloping sensations, ranging from those of the early years, focused primarily on red fruits and flowers, to the more evolved sensations of brushwood, tobacco and spices that develop with age. This wine is a harmony of captivating nuances that are released and evolve slowly in the glass. Tasting Notes: Vigna Rionda is a unique Barolo, impossible to describe in just a few lines and hard to compare with others, even those from the Serralunga area. A wine capable of complexity, longevity and structure, which come together with unparalleled elegance. A little patience is required for it to reach its full potential, which is why it stays in our cellars until its sixth year, the only wine in our range to do so, when it is released as a Riserva. We recommend decanting and serving at a temperature of 18-20°C. An ever-evolving wine, it pairs beautifully with meat dishes, rich in intense and persistent aromas and flavours, and with mature cheeses. It is also the perfect meditation wine for those who wish to take their time to enjoy it while relaxing, appreciating its many qualities in their purest form.