September 27, 2024
A supercharged Barolo from 2018
The 2018 Barolo is the only Barolo Massolino bottled in 2018, which means that the wine received the grapes from top Cru's like Vigna Rionda, Parafada and Margheria to give it a super charge. It's a standout vintage for the entry-level wine and at €30 IB per bottle and 96-points, it's an absolute steal.
The Massolino Barolo 2018 stands out not just for its inherent quality but also for the unique circumstances of its creation. The Massolino estate, situated in the heart of Serralunga d'Alba, is renowned for its ability to produce some of Barolo's most powerful and long-lived wines. The terroir here, marked by the region's calcareous clay soils and high-altitude vineyards, imparts a distinctive structure and minerality to the wines.
The 2018 vintage in Barolo was challenging, characterized by a cooler growing season that led to wines of elegance and vibrancy rather than sheer power. However, for Massolino, this vintage presented an opportunity. In 2018, the estate made the strategic decision not to produce its cru-specific bottlings, such as Vigna Rionda, Parafada, or Margheria. Instead, they combined the best grapes from these top vineyards into their straight Barolo. This blend, which includes fruit from some of the most celebrated sites in the region, has supercharged the quality of the wine.
The result is a Barolo that is exceptionally elegant and complex. It opens with a bouquet of eucalyptus, pine forest, and new leather, with floral hints of lilac. On the palate, it offers vibrant red cherry and juniper berry flavours, supported by refined tannins and bright acidity.
With a drinking window until 2038, this is still a very serious rendition. This vintage, praised by critics like Kerin O'Keefe of Wine Enthusiast and Decanter, shows that even in a challenging year, Massolino has delivered a wine of remarkable depth and consistency, confirming its status as one of Barolo's top producers.
Decanter's score over the last few vintages:
2019 - 90 Points
2018 - 94 Points
2017 - Not Rated
2016 - 92 Points
With a high 94 points, the 2018 vintage scored 2 points higher than the highly esteemed 2016 vintage for example.
Massolino Barolo 2018
96 Points | Wine Enthusiast, Kerin O'Keefe
In 2018 the estate didn't make its cru-specific bottlings so the best grapes are in this straight Barolo. And it shows. It opens with heady scents of eucalyptus, pine forest, hay, new leather and lilac. Extremely elegant, the savory, vibrant palate exhibits red cherry, juniper berry and star anise set against taut, refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2024–2033.
94 Points | Decanter
While at the village level in 2018 we seem to find more dilute wines, Massolino should be considered an exception because they produced just a village Barolo, a blend of all their MGAs, including Vigna Rionda. The wine shines for its bright ruby colour, meaty and tarry with a incredible depth of rhubarb and minerality. Open-knit with its wild strawberry and cherry fruits, it flows on the velvety palate, lean yet refined, with polished tannins and brilliant integrated acidity. The finish is all cherry kernel and liquorice root. With this 2018 the estate confirms its consistency.