Name: Massolino Barolo Margheria 2017 750ml
Brand: Massolino
SKU: 878889
Price: 75.95 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 94.6 (7 reviews)

Winery

Massolino

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Varietal

Nebbiolo

The Nebbiolo grape varietal is widely understood to be the fruit responsible for Italy's finest aged wines. However, its popularity and reliability as a grape which gives out outstanding flavors and aromas has led it to be planted in many countries around the world, with much success. These purple grapes are distinguishable by the fact that they take on a milky dust as they begin to reach maturity, leading many to claim that this is the reason for their unusual name, which means 'fog' in Italian. Nebbiolo grapes produce wines which have a wide range of beautiful and fascinating flavors, the most common of which are rich, dark and complex, such as violet, truffle, tobacco and prunes. They are generally aged for many years to balance out their characteristics, as their natural tannin levels tend to be very high.

Country

Italy

There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.

Region

Piedmont

Situated in the north-western part of Italy, the region of Piedmont is known worldwide and is highly respected for the quality of the wines produced there. Many of the most successful sub-regions in Piedmont produce many of the world's finest red wines, such as those made from the excellent Nebbiolo grape varietal in areas such as Barolo and Barbaresco. However, the historic wineries which typify this region use a relatively wide variety of grapes, including Dolcetto and Barbera for their red wines, which are typically aged and have a delightful velvety character. Piedmont isn't all about beautifully complex red wines, though, as it is also famed for high quality, elegant sparkling wines, notably the Asti wines made with the white Moscato grape. The region benefits from a range of terroirs which are often well expressed in the sparkling wines, and a wonderfully consistent climate ideal for vineyard cultivation.

Appellation

Barolo

Barolo’s star grape is Nebbiolo, a finicky yet expressive variety that reaches its zenith this unique terroir. The region’s distinct microclimates and soils contribute to Nebbiolo’s complexity, resulting in wines with robust tannins, high acidity, and exceptional aging potential. Barolo wines, often referred to as “the king of wines,” are characterized by their deep garnet hue and complex bouquet, offering aromas of roses, tar, truffles, and red fruit. The aging process is significant, requiring at least 38 months, with a minimum of 18 months spent in wooden casks. This meticulous craftsmanship results in wines that evolve beautifully over time, displaying a harmonious balance of power and finesse. For wine enthusiasts, exploring Barolo provides a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Italian winemaking, showcasing the profound marriage of tradition, terroir, and Nebbiolo’s distinctive expression.

WE 96pts

Wine Enthusiast

Wild berry, cedar, scorched earth and camphor form the nose along with spicy accents. Tightly wound and firmly structured, the savory palate also shows finesse, offering dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and tobacco framed in firm, refined tannins. Drink 2025–2032.

WS 95pts

Wine Spectator

Taut and linear, this Barolo walks the line between red berry fruits and savory, herbal elements. Underlining it all is a backbone of iron and dense, fine-grained tannins. Put it all together and you have a nascent red with terrific potential. Best from 2025 through 2042. 660 cases made.

VM 95pts

Vinous Media

The 2017 Barolo Margheria is a compelling, multi-faceted Barolo loaded with personality. Sage, mint, lavender, spice, iron and red/purplish berry fruit grace this firm, classically built Barolo. This translucent, taut Barolo has so much to offer, but it also needs time to soften. Readers will find a terrific example of Margheria.

DC 95pts

Decanter

Barolo from Serralunga d’Alba is usually austere and made for the long haul, but the 2017 Margheria by Massolino comes across as especially approachable and balanced, bursting with charming aromas of leather, anise, cherry compote, pot-pourri, and sweet spice. Ample and inviting, its velvety tannins frame a core of ripe red fruit. Hints of tobacco and damp earth outline the long and multifaceted finish. Ageing occurs in traditional big botti.

Winery Notes

Rated 95 - The 2017 Massolino Barolo Margheria has beautiful aromatics, though it is maybe a bit lighter in the middle than their Barolo classico. Bright blue-toned in color, it is very shiny and bright. Cooler, sharper, just-ripe red and black fruits make for a very refined, elegant nose, with the tiniest hint of warm spice and cream, and more interesting notes of leafy Assam and malty tea. On the palate there are cherries with notes of blue fruit and juicy, bright, mouth-watering acidity. The lovely thing about this wine is that there are lots of layers of flavors encased in very firm but super-refined tannins, with just a slight dryness on the finish characteristic of many 2017s. Massolino wines are delightfully pristine, pure and bright. Wait two to three years for the tannins to integrate and keep for 20 to 25 years. - The Wine Independent

WA 93pts

Wine Advocate

More subdued aromatically speaking, the Massolino 2017 Barolo Margheria is timid on first nose and takes longer to open. I coaxed the wine in my glass for a while before getting a fuller picture of red and purple fruits, grilled herb, limestone and a spicy hint of white peppercorn. I remember the cooler 2016 vintage as beautifully exuberant and expressive overall, whereas this 2017 edition has a quieter personality.

JD 93pts

Jeb Dunnuck

From an average of 35-year-old vines in Serralunga d’Alba, the 2017 Barolo Margheria is fragrant with anise, roses, and dried cranberry. The structure is forward, with angular tannins and tangy fruit, inclusing red plum skin, dried orange peel, and turned earth. A bit tightly wound in its youthful state, both aromatically and structurally, hold for 3-5 years and drink 2024-2042.