Massolino

Serralunga d'Alba Barolo Nebbiolo

9.1699 ratings
9.2129 pro ratings
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Nebbiolo
Lamb, Goose, Potato, Baking Spices, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Turkey, Beef, Pasta, Salami & Prosciutto, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Chicken, Veal, White Rice, Herbs, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Pork, Game, Exotic Spices, Chili & Hot Spicy, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

Brought from my cellar to dinner at Mertz. Massolino’s “Serralunga d’Alba” is a blend of their rather remarkable vineyard holdings in some of the more revered sites in the Serralunga commune. It’s also a perfect example of the 2010 vintage which, to my palate, may turn out to be a vintage that will live 50+ years.

Poured into a decanter about 45min prior to dinner. The 2010 “Serralunga d’Alba” pours a bright garnet with a transparent core. On the nose, developing with bright pomegranate, cranberry, Morello cherry, roses, tar, dried herbs and dried earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, grippy and shows surprising elegance despite the remarkable structure. And that’s the hallmark of the 2010 vintage: there’s enough structure to support the Library of Congress and yet, there is an undeniable charm thanks to the bright fruit and pretty aromatics. Drink now with patience and enjoy through 2050+ because seriously, this has some real substance.

Brought from my cellar to dinner at Mertz. Massolino’s “Serralunga d’Alba” is a blend of their rather remarkable vineyard holdings in some of the more revered sites in the Serralunga commune. It’s also a perfect example of the 2010 vintage which, to my palate, may turn out to be a vintage that will live 50+ years.

Poured into a decanter about 45min prior to dinner. The 2010 “Serralunga d’Alba” pours a bright garnet with a transparent core. On the nose, developing with bright pomegranate, cranberry, Morello cherry, roses, tar, dried herbs and dried earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, grippy and shows surprising elegance despite the remarkable structure. And that’s the hallmark of the 2010 vintage: there’s enough structure to support the Library of Congress and yet, there is an undeniable charm thanks to the bright fruit and pretty aromatics. Drink now with patience and enjoy through 2050+ because seriously, this has some real substance.

Mar 9th, 2024
M. Christopher Roebuck

Medium red with a hint of orange developing. Herbal nose. Cherry on the palate with nutty notes. Alcohol medium plus, acidity medium, tannins are of course still quite blunt. This will benefit with age, but I'm wondering if the tertiary flavors will add some complexity--as it stands now it's somewhat one-dimensional, but very good.

92+ points

Medium red with a hint of orange developing. Herbal nose. Cherry on the palate with nutty notes. Alcohol medium plus, acidity medium, tannins are of course still quite blunt. This will benefit with age, but I'm wondering if the tertiary flavors will add some complexity--as it stands now it's somewhat one-dimensional, but very good.

92+ points

Mar 8th, 2024
Jae Cho

The classico. It took about 6 hours of overnight slow ox to flesh out but when it did became very enjoyable. Rose petal, light red fruits, mint/spice. The learning curve on when to drink these is a constant exercise.

The classico. It took about 6 hours of overnight slow ox to flesh out but when it did became very enjoyable. Rose petal, light red fruits, mint/spice. The learning curve on when to drink these is a constant exercise.

Mar 4th, 2024
Chris MacLean

Thinking about rounding into a less tannic form..

Thinking about rounding into a less tannic form..

Sep 12th, 2023
Bob McDonald

Not as dense in colour as I was expecting. On swirling quite tawny on the rim. Aromas of dry red cherries, menthol and a touch of leather. Medium bodied for a Barolo. It does finish with dry dusty persistent tannins. An enjoyable Barolo in the mid to lighter style. Certainly not for long keeping. Went well with homemade pasta.

Not as dense in colour as I was expecting. On swirling quite tawny on the rim. Aromas of dry red cherries, menthol and a touch of leather. Medium bodied for a Barolo. It does finish with dry dusty persistent tannins. An enjoyable Barolo in the mid to lighter style. Certainly not for long keeping. Went well with homemade pasta.

May 16th, 2023
Jay Kline

I know there are some opinions about the 2018 vintage in Piemonte being less than ideal. And while there may be some truth to that sentiment, great producers managed to make beautiful, classic wines. Massolino falls into that category. In 2018, they decided to forgo bottling their individual crus and instead, focused their best fruit from Margheria, Parafada, Parussi, and the great Vigna Rionda into their “classico”. The results were phenomenal. The wine is beautifully perfumed with ripe, dark and red fruits along with all the roses and tar you expect. It’s the structure, however, that’s most impressive at this point in its youth. The tannins are big, as is the acid, suggesting this will have a long life. I expect this will be winning well past 2038. That being said, it is already enjoyable now.

I know there are some opinions about the 2018 vintage in Piemonte being less than ideal. And while there may be some truth to that sentiment, great producers managed to make beautiful, classic wines. Massolino falls into that category. In 2018, they decided to forgo bottling their individual crus and instead, focused their best fruit from Margheria, Parafada, Parussi, and the great Vigna Rionda into their “classico”. The results were phenomenal. The wine is beautifully perfumed with ripe, dark and red fruits along with all the roses and tar you expect. It’s the structure, however, that’s most impressive at this point in its youth. The tannins are big, as is the acid, suggesting this will have a long life. I expect this will be winning well past 2038. That being said, it is already enjoyable now.

Apr 30th, 2023
Gregory Fulchiero

Bright fruit and chewy tannins from an excellent vintage. Mild aromas of menthol and tar. Excited for day 2.

Bright fruit and chewy tannins from an excellent vintage. Mild aromas of menthol and tar. Excited for day 2.

May 14th, 2022
Rob Brobst III

Barolo!! Always a good choice.

Barolo!! Always a good choice.

Aug 12th, 2021
Eric Urbani

Tasting of a group of six Barolos and three Barbarescos from 1997 through 2001. My #1

Tasting of a group of six Barolos and three Barbarescos from 1997 through 2001. My #1

Jun 24th, 2021
Rob Brobst III

Wine Spectator #7 This family-owned winery, founded in 1896, is run today by fourth-generation brothers Franco and Roberto Massolino. Located in the heart of the village of Serralunga d’Alba, the 100-acre estate is known for its single-vineyard Barolos from Margheria, Parafada, Parussi and Vigna Rionda, yet it’s their classic-style Barolo from the excellent 2016 vintage that earns a spot on our list for its quality and value. A blend of Nebbiolo from parcels in Briccolina, Le Turne, Collaretto, Broglio and Damiano in Serralunga, with 5 percent from Parussi in Castiglione Falletto, the wine aged 29 months in 5,000-liter Slavonian oak casks.

Wine Spectator #7 This family-owned winery, founded in 1896, is run today by fourth-generation brothers Franco and Roberto Massolino. Located in the heart of the village of Serralunga d’Alba, the 100-acre estate is known for its single-vineyard Barolos from Margheria, Parafada, Parussi and Vigna Rionda, yet it’s their classic-style Barolo from the excellent 2016 vintage that earns a spot on our list for its quality and value. A blend of Nebbiolo from parcels in Briccolina, Le Turne, Collaretto, Broglio and Damiano in Serralunga, with 5 percent from Parussi in Castiglione Falletto, the wine aged 29 months in 5,000-liter Slavonian oak casks.

Dec 15th, 2020