Massolino Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2014 750ml Case of 6

Name: Massolino Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2014 750ml
Brand: Massolino
SKU: 929226
Price: 161.53 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 95.4 (5 reviews)

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SKU 929226

$969.18/case

$161.53/bottle

Tariffs included

Availability: This is a Long-term Pre-arrival item and is available for online ordering only. This item will ship on a future date after a 4-8 months transfer time. For more about Pre-arrival orders, see FAQ.

Pre-arrival

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The 2014 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is elegant, silky and vibrant. Massolino was among the few producers who were able to ride out a cold, rainy summer and let fruit hang through a late summer and early fall that were blessed with warm, dry weather and cool nights—perfect conditions for opening Nebbiolo. The 2014 is so sensual, so pure. Another recent bottle showed more mid-palate depth. Either way, the Massolino Rionda is an unqualified success in 2014.

More Vintages:

Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont
Appellation: Barolo

Size: 750ml
Color: Red

SKU: 929226 Category: Pre-arrival

More about this item

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.

Ratings & Reviews

VM 98pts

Vinous Media

WA 97pts

Wine Advocate

The Massolino 2014 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is a wine that speaks of vintage as articulately as it speaks of site. The 2014 vintage is one of the most distinctive within these past two decades, with a quality of fruit that is fine, light, ethereal and almost fragile. However, Serralunga d'Alba, where the Vignarionda cru is located, is always characterized by extra power, structure and fruit weight. In a sense, this Riserva represents an intersection between those two opposites, showing both elegance and muscle. The wine opens to a pretty garnet color, and the aromatic intensity is well developed and capped by a mid-weight finish. Wild berry tones are followed by iron ore, blood orange and camphor ash. Massolino farms 2.6 hectares within the cru with calcareous and marlstone soils. Some 8,500 bottles were made, and this wine will be released in September 2020.

DC 95pts

Decanter

Immediately expressive, this reveals enticing aromas of autumn leaves, cherry, liquorice, truffle and smoke. Mouth-filling yet buoyant, it carries a surprising tannic load for the vintage (though not for this site). Velvety in texture and drinking beautifully now, Massolino’s 2014 Vigna Rionda demonstrates why this MGA is so esteemed. Equally, it is a testament to Franco Massolino’s expertise and sensibility. He waited out the cool temperatures and incessant rainfall of summer, reaping the rewards of a much more clement fall. His south-facing plot yielded a modest crop of fairly small, concentrated, ripe berries.

WE 94pts

Wine Enthusiast

Underbrush, moist earth, leather and a whiff of menthol shape the delicate nose. The linear, youthfully austere palate shows impressive structure for the vintage, featuring juicy black cherry, spiced cranberry and licorice accompanied by tightly wound, close-grained tannins and firm acidity. Drink 2024–2034. (Cellar Selection)

WS 93pts

Wine Spectator

On the savory side, this red offers strawberry, currant and cherry flavors that are locked up with the dense tannins, lending an overall austerity and a dry, astringent, mouthcoating finish. Best from 2023 through 2040. 350 cases made, 100 cases imported.

Winery Notes

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.