Massolino Barolo DOCG 2013 Magnum

When we look at the finest wines of Piemonte, critic Antonio Galloni is a safe barometer of quality. But, when he writes of Massolino that “Their estate remains one of the lesser-known jewels in Piedmont,” we must take exception. Sure, Galloni’s previous sentence hits the bullseye, “I can’t think of too many things the Massolino brothers don’t do well.” But the second? Perhaps we should invite Mr. Galloni to Australia, where Massolino is rightly considered one of Piemonte’s crown jewels! Founded in 1896 in the village of Serralunga d’Alba, this historic winery has been crafting some of the finest expressions of Barolo for over a century. Massolino’s story began with Giovanni Massolino, a visionary farmer who established the winery in 1896. Recognizing the unique potential of the Serralunga d’Alba terroir, Giovanni laid the foundation for a legacy of winemaking excellence. His son Giuseppe Massolino expanded the estate and brought electricity to the village, cementing the family's role as pioneers in the region.Behind Massolino’s rise to the apex of Barolo lies their remarkable collections of Serralunga vineyards, including choice parcels of such famous sites as; Margheria, Parafada and the legendary Vigna Rionda where the Massolino family is the largest holders with 3.5 hectares of vines between 40 and 50 years old. Outside of this commune, Massolino also tends vines in the great Parussi Cru of Castiglione Falletto. The high-altitude chalky hillsides of Serrralunga d’Alba, on the eastern edge of the Barolo DOCG, produce some of the most profound and long-lived Barolo wines. It is the home of great names such as Giacomo Conterno and Bruno Giacosa’s Falletto vineyard. The wines often have an extra stuffing of intense Nebbiolo fruit as well as a remarkable minerality that plays on both the freshness of the tannins and gives the wines a certain ferrous edge when young.The quality strides at this estate over the last decade or so have been truly remarkable with significant advances made, particularly in the vineyards. The Massolino Estate has now been organic for six years with no herbicides used for ten. The evolution of the work in the vineyards over that time has been impressive and is showing through in the wines. The team has introduced more competition through grass cover, and no systemic chemicals are used: only copper and sulphur against mildew.