Massolino Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2015 1.5Ltr

Camphor, underbrush, spice and brandy-soaked cherry are just some of the aromas you'll find in this gorgeous red. The full-bodied palate combines firmness with finesse, delivering raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, licorice and tobacco flavors framed in assertive, fine-grained tannins. It's youthfully austere and needs time to fully develop but it's already impressive. Drink 2025–2035. (Cellar Selection)

Massolino not only manages the biggest part of Vignarionda, but also in my opinion, it has to be said that this estate has the merit to match the increased reputation of this cru over the past 20 years. The Riserva 2015 is concentrated in the glass, more than usual, with a dense ruby colour. Restrained cherry fruit, melted with rosehip, vibrant minerality and a balsamic touch dominates the nose, while brighter bloody orange flavours the palate. Broad, full bodied, velvety and naturally refreshing, this powerful Barolo ends with a thick mass of tannins, still young yet resulting from outstanding maturity. To cellar for the long haul, if you can wait.

Very pure, this red exudes cherry, strawberry and currant fruit, shaded by iron, sage, white pepper and tobacco. Firm yet enticing, with superb balance and a finish that goes on and on. Excellent intensity on a slim frame. Best from 2024 through 2045. 790 cases made.

Massolino's top-shelf wine is the 2015 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda. This expression comes roaring out of the bottle with beautiful intensity and richness that is played forward with abundant black cherry, tarry spice, clay and rusty mineral. The 10-hectare Vignarionda vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba is farmed by many, but Massolino is responsible for about a quarter of its production. This gives this estate better flexibility and opportunity when it comes to fruit selection for this limited release. The warm and sunny 2015 vintage wraps thickly over the palate, imparting a satiny texture and long finish.

The 2015 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is a magnificent wine that shows all the magic this site is so famous for. All the Rionda signatures open in the glass. Sweet dark cherry/plum, lavender, spice, mint and pine meld together in a sensual, beautifully layered Barolo that pushes all the right buttons. The 2015 is going to need a few years to soften, but it is undeniably vivid and arresting in its sheer allure.

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.