Massolino
& the ‘Angel of Serralunga’
Established in 1896, Massolino stands as a pillar of traditional winemaking in Serralunga d’Alba, Piedmont. The estate is renowned for its commitment to expressing the unique characteristics of its vineyards, particularly the esteemed Vigna Rionda cru.
Massolino's Barolos are celebrated for their purity, elegance, and ability to age gracefully, reflecting the family's dedication to quality and tradition.
The 2021 Cru Barolo Lineup:
Margheria | Parafada | Parussi
Including a Vigna Rionda Vintage Vertical:
Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva
2019 | 2017 | 2016
Hosted by the Angel of Serralunga -
Giovanni Angeli, Winemaker
Wednesday 30 July
Masterclass: 5.30pm-7pm, 13 Wines & Substantial Canapes $265
Dinner: 7.30pm, 13 Wines & 4 Course Menu, $375
“Massolino not only delivers admirable top-end Nebbiolo wines... but also makes a near-perfect range that starts with the delicious Dolcetto and runs seamlessly through the Barbera, to basic Nebbiolo before arriving at the top tier wines.”
- Nick Stock
Massolino: A Legacy of Family and Terroir
Founded in 1896 by Giovanni Massolino, the Massolino estate is nestled in the heart of Serralunga d’Alba, a village renowned for producing some of the most profound and long-lived Barolo wines. Giovanni was a visionary, bringing electricity to the village and laying the foundation for a family legacy that has spanned over a century.
The estate's commitment to quality and tradition is evident in its meticulous vineyard management and winemaking practices. Massolino owns 23 hectares of vineyards, including prestigious crus such as Margheria, Parafada, and the iconic Vigna Rionda. These vineyards, characterized by calcareous and sandy soils, contribute to the complexity and elegance of their wines.
In 1934, Giovanni's son, Giuseppe, played a pivotal role in establishing the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo e Barbaresco, underscoring the family's dedication to preserving the integrity of the region's wines. Today, the fourth generation, including Franco and Roberto Massolino, continues to uphold the family's legacy, blending traditional methods with modern innovations to produce wines that are both expressive and age-worthy.
Meet the host… Giovanni Angeli
Giovanni Angeli, often referred to as the "Angel of Serralunga," brings a profound sensitivity and dedication to his role as winemaker at Massolino. His approach is characterized by a deep respect for tradition, coupled with a willingness to embrace subtle innovations that enhance the purity and expression of the wines.
Under Giovanni's guidance, Massolino's Barolo wines undergo fermentation with indigenous yeasts and are aged in large Slavonian oak botti for up to 30 months, followed by additional bottle aging in cool, dark cellars. He has also introduced the use of cement tanks and large wooden fermenters (tini) for fermentation, aiming to preserve the delicate nuances of the Nebbiolo grape.
Giovanni's philosophy centers on minimal intervention, allowing the unique characteristics of each vineyard to shine through. His commitment to sustainable practices, including organic vineyard management and the use of natural pest control methods, reflects a holistic approach to winemaking that honors both the land and the wine.
In his own words, Giovanni believes that "balance" is the key to both life and winemaking—a principle that is evident in the harmony and elegance of Massolino's wines.
The Wine List
On Arrival…
Massolino Langhe Riesling 2023, Our Price $82
Review from previous vintage (2022)
From a site in Monforte, situated a 530M above sea level. Concrete tank. On Lees for 19 months. Riesling is perhaps a bit of a white elephant in the Langhe, though it’s not without merit. Rich and limey, stony, a little aniseed. A fairly fleshy palate, a slight petrol thing, some stone fruit in the mix, a gentle chalky texture, and a long and juicy finish. It has richness and intensity, and in short, it’s really good.
93 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Truffle artichoke and Jamon tarts
First Course
Massolino Dolcetto d'Alba 2022, Our Price $44
Plum, dark cherry, spices and a choc-liquorice richness, with some dried flowers chucked in too. Medium bodied, ripe, fleshy and tannic, and certainly it’s a big bold Dolcetto, though it does not come at the expense of drinkability. Crunchy acidity and tannin on a blue fruit and plum finish of excellent length. It’s a cracker.
92 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Massolino Barbera d'Alba 2024 (Pre- Release), Our Price $56
The Barbera d'Alba from Massolino is all about the fresh and juicy fruit. Interesting bouquet with beautifully integrated flavours of flowers, forest floor and mushrooms. Fresh and lively on the palate, very accessible and with an impressive drinking flow. Exotic and forward, it brings a lot of fun to the glass - a fresh, sincere and finely balanced expression of the Barbera grape!
- SUPERIORE.DE
Massolino Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 (Pre-Release), Our Price $64
A remarkable expression of Nebbiolo from one of the most respected producers in the Barolo region, Massolino delivers a Langhe Nebbiolo that captures the essence of the grape in a more approachable style. Sourced from younger vines and vineyard sites outside of the Barolo DOCG, this Nebbiolo showcases the craftsmanship and tradition that the Massolino family has been dedicated to since 1896. Massolino’s Langhe Nebbiolo is an excellent entry point into the world of Piedmont’s noble grape, offering a level of complexity, freshness, and vibrancy that’s characteristic of more accessible Langhe Nebbiolos. While it’s enjoyable now, this wine has the backbone to age for a few more years, developing further depth and character.
- klwines.com
Melted beetroot tart tatin, curd
Second Course
Massolino Barbaresco 2022 (New-Release), Our Price $120
Aromas and flavors of cherry, strawberry, rose, wet hay and white pepper combine with a firm structure and vibrant acidity in this expressive, complex red, which is harmonious and long on the fruit- and savory-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2043
94 Points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
Massolino Barbaresco Albesani 2022 (New-Release), Our Price $245
The Massolino 2022 Barbaresco Albesani shows structure and focus. The wine reveals a vertical delivery of fruit aromas along with crushed stone, sambuca and blue flower. There is a salty note at the end, and the wine shows polished, finely grained tannins. Albesani is another example of a wine that defies the heat of the vintage to show elegance and grace.
94 Points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
Abrolhos Island half shell scallops, sambal butter
Third Course
2021 Massolino Barolo, Our Price $122
The Massolino 2021 Barolo reveals a shiny ruby color and a core of dark fruit. Beyond the plummy fruit is tar, licorice, pressed flower and campfire ash. This wine has a pronounced savory side, yet it all fits squarely into a very delicate and finessed delivery. This is a pretty example of the vintage.
94 Points - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
2021 Massolino Barolo Parussi, Our Price $256
The Massolino 2021 Barolo Parussi draws its fruit from Castiglione Falletto at the center of the appellation with an interesting overlay of old and newer soils. This wine is less immediately aromatic and needs extra time in the glass to develop and flesh out. At this young stage, it delivers tight wild berry and you also get a pretty signature of crushed limestone. That elegant mineral note ties in nicely with the silky tannins. The Parussi excels in a balanced vintage such as this.
98 Points - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
Massolino Barolo Margheria 2021, Our Price $256
The Massolino 2021 Barolo Margheria draws its fruit from Serralunga d'Alba. It reveals aromas of forest berry and wild cherry with candied orange, flint and crushed granite. I also find toasted aniseed at the back. The team at Massolino has done great work managing the tannins that feel quite silky and long, rendering a glossy sheen to the finish.
96 Points - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
Massolino Barolo Parafada 2021, Our Price $256
The 2021 Parafada from Massolino captures the essence of the cru and the vintage thanks to its intensity, structure and radiance. It opens with heady scents of crushed rose petal, camphor, new leather and dark spice while the full-bodied palate delivers succulent raspberry, ripe cherry, licorice and tobacco before a long, savory finish. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework while fresh acidity keeps it vibrant. The best Parada I’ve had in years from this estate, this is a wine I’d love to have in my own cellar.
98 Points, Kerin O'Keefe, kerinokeefe.com
Chevre gnocchi, duck, green peppercorn and garlic
Fourth Course
2017 Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva, Our Price $486
This is a gorgeous wine, and although it could stand more years of aging, you're not wrong to enjoy it in the near or medium term either. The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is packed tight with dark fruit, but it also shows a delicately savory edge with black licorice and rusty metal. The wine's intensity and the mouthfeel are sublime. Aging sees it go into botte for 36 months followed by another 36 months in bottle before its release. Production is 12,500 bottles.
97 Points - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
2019 Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva, Our Price $537
The Massolino 2019 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is quite special in that it offers dark fruit, tar, campfire ash and burnt ember. It shows the power and heft of the vintage with the concentration, although in appearance, the wine is shiny and bright. It has a very beautiful mouthfeel with a glossy sheen to the tannins. In fact, the palate is the best part of this expertly crafted Riserva. It comes together with more dark fruit and savory tobacco.
97 Points - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
2016 Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva Riserva Etichetta Nera, Our Price $763
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.
97 Points - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate