Massolino Black Label Vigna Rionda Barolo Riserva 2016
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- wa97
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The Massolino family has deep roots in the Langhe. Great-grandfather Giovanni Massolino founded the winery in 1896 and was the first to bring electricity and a steam-operated machine for harvesting grain to Serralunga d’Alba. Grandfather Giuseppe was one of the founders of the local winegrowers’ consortium in 1934 and father Giovanni bought the first single vineyard, Parafada. Today, the estate is run by siblings Franco, Roberto and Paola. This extraordinary Barolo achieves its best expression when served with red meats, particularly game, and with dishes dressed with truffle.
The 2016 growing season was marked by a water and thermal balance hardly experienced in recent years. The long vegetative cycle and great temperature variations across the seasons gifted us wines with rare completeness and depth. In this vintage, Vigna Rionda reaches unique levels of complexity. For this reason, reverential fear makes us unable to write the tasting notes you normally find here. In fact, we think it is not just limiting to try to describe this amazing tasting experience in a few lines, but impossible.
Wine Spectator
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Cherry, strawberry, rose, iron and menthol flavors highlight this supple red. There's plenty of backbone, and woodsy notes chime in, but this is more about the expressive berry fruit and elegant side of Barolo, ending with a terrific finish. Nonetheless, this will require several years for the tannins to be absorbed. To be released September 2022. Best from 2025 through 2045. 1,000 cases made, 250 cases imported.
Vinous
- v97
The 2016 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is absolutely stunning. Deep and statuesque in bearing, the 2016 captivates all the senses from start to finish. A whole range of Riondo aromatics soars out of the glass. Silky and yet powerful, gracious and yet full of gravitas, the 2016 captures all the contrasts that make Barolo such an alluring wine. Rose petal, lavender, red/purplish fruit, spice and new leather lend striking nuance to this hypnotic Barolo from Massolino.
Wine Advocate
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Packaged with a special black label, the Massolino 2016 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is only released in the best vintages. Showing the power and the determination of Serralunga d'Alba, the wine is redolent of dried berry, lots of rusty earth and fragrant red rose. These are the typical aromas of this vineyard, and this wine presents them with impeccable integration. To the palate, this Riserva remains open-knit, tightly structured and broad in scope. This is an impressive production of 12,000 bottles.
Wine Enthusiast
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#17 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2022. Rose, ripe black-skinned berry and dark spice aromas mingle with camphor and forest floor on this full-bodied red. Combining structure and finesse, the firm palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, black raspberry and licorice. Bright acidity keeps it energized. Give it time to fully develop. Drink 2026-2046.
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wa91Wine Advocate
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ws91Wine Spectator
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st91International Wine Cellar
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we91Wine Enthusiast
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js91James Suckling
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bs91Bottle Shop
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w&s91Wine & Spirits
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bh91Burghound
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wj91Wine Journal
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wsk91Whiskey Advocate
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agv91Vinous
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d91Decanter
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tp91The Tasting Panel
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jd91Jeb Dunnuck
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