To finish off Piedmont Week, we want to draw special attention to this stunning release and vintage from the iconic estate Massolino - a year so successful and high in quality, the winery designed this new sleek black label, which will henceforth represent only their very best years. Vigna Rionda is one of the most sought-after Crus in all of Piedmont, as many consider it the ulimate representation of Barolo emerging from the Serralunga comune. The grapes that grow here are exposed to highly complex soils, growing on a higher level of limestone with heavy concentration of minerals and iron elements, making for wines with perfect balance of perfume, finesse and structure.
Of all the vintages from this house we have tried, and the general consensus is the same, the fruit has never been quite so delicious as it is here in the 2016. The level achieved here could very well not be matched for a while, making this a must-have for any red lover or collector before it's gone! Read below for more acclaim.
Massolino Barolo 'Vigna Rionda' Riserva - $679 on special this week ; $795 RRP
"Barolo lovers will need no reminding: 2016 was an epic vintage, producing a stream of breathtaking wines. First bottled as a single cru in 1982, 2016 marks the 35th vintage of Massolino’s benchmark Barolo, Vigna Rionda, and even those who know this wine intimately will surely not have tasted a greater expression. The sheer quality achieved this this year has led Massolino to introduce a new, all-black label, which henceforth will only be used for very greatest years of Vigna Rionda. There has also been a price rise on this special release of Massolino’s premier wine. All we can tell you is that the wine is wonderful and worth every penny. Most will know that Vigna Rionda is arguably the most revered vineyard of Serralunga, and the source of some of the greatest, finest and most long-lived Barolo of the region... Always released with a minimum six years of age. This is clearly a very special Vigna Rionda. It’s a rich, layered wine of enormous depth and power, yet also great finesse. It’s unique, perhaps a little like 2010 or 2004, but with more structural power." - Importer Notes
"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 Rionda 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." - 97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"Tasting this Vigna Rionda is such a sensual experience, with the complexity you’d expect from the top-level Barolo, showing hints of iodine, dark mussels, walnuts, dark stones to the fleshy dark cherries and plums. Then it turns a little “bloody,” minty and tarry on the nose. “Dark” and full-bodied with a massive amount of small-grained tannins seamlessly knitting the fruit on the palate, driving it to a very long, mineral finish. Very tight and powerful now, yet seductively rich and full of flesh, too. Shows lots of potential ahead." - 97 Points, James Suckling
If you wish to purchase this champagne, please use the link above. Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au Price valid until Friday the 7th of July