Massolino wines with spaghetti

Massolino Piedmontese Barolo and Barbera wines with spaghetti 

Linda prepared spaghetti and I pulled from the cellar two bottles, just recently acquired Massolino red wines. We met the producer Franco Massolino week before last down in Florida at the special Massolino Wine Producer Dinner at Wine World Wine Bar, Destin (FL).

Having just been introduced to this brand, meeting the producer, and tasting a flight of his wines paired with the dinner courses, I was interested to see what wines are available back in Chicago.

I visited Binny’s, our wine and beverage big box superstore and picked up each of the Massolino labels available to try, and compare with the broad flight we tasted at the dinner. 

Massolino is one of Piedmont’s most respected and historic producers dating back to its founding in 1896. I wrote more about their history in my blogpost - Massolino Wine Dinner Destin.

Massolino’s vineyards, located in the prized areas of Serralunga d'Alba, benefit from the region’s calcareous soils and high altitude, which contribute to the wine’s distinctive minerality and longevity.

Massolino Barbara D’Alba Serralunga D’Alba 2021

This is an earlier vintage of the 2022 Massolino Barbera d'Alba that we tasted at the Destin wine dinner. 

Barbera d’Alba DOC is a popular wine produced in the area, in the historic village situated right in between the famous regions of Barolo and Barbaresco, Alba is also the name for the larger wine region surrounding the village.  It has been produced since its first year of production back in 1896. This Barbera is released onto the market in the spring following harvest.

Generally, “Alba” is a catch-all phrase, and includes the declassified Nebbiolo varietal grape based wines made in Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as the Nebbiolo grown just outside of these regions’ borders. 

Nebbiolo d’Alba is a softer, less tannic and more fruit-forward wine ready to drink within just a couple years of bottling. It is more approachable and affordable variation of Nebbiolo wines.

Friendly and approachable, Barbera produces wines in a wide range of styles, from youthful, fresh and fruity to serious, structured and age-worthy. Piedmont is the most famous source of Barbera; those from Asti and Alba being the most well known and most highly regarded. 

Barbera is planted alongside the predominant Nebbiolo in the surrounding hills, and referred to as Barbera d’Alba, takes on a more powerful and concentrated personality compared to its counterparts in Asti.

Barbera adapt well to many climates and has been successful in some New World regions.

Winemaker notes - “Appearance: deep purplish red. Bouquet: elegant, sweet and tempting, the intense and fruity notes characteristic of Barbera emerge. Flavour: vinous, fresh and well balanced. An easy to drink wine which is tasty and rich without being excessively binding.” 

This was a nice complement pairing to the spaghetti and tangy tomato and bolognese sauce. 

Slightly opaque garnet colored, medium bodied, black fruit flavors with notes of cedar, tar and black tea with a crisp tannic finish. 

RM 89 points. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/4338733

We opened this the following evening with left over spaghetti. 

Massolino Barollo 2020

The Massolino Barolo 2020 is a classic expression of Nebbiolo, a wine that showcases the unique terroir of Serralunga while adhering to traditional winemaking techniques, such as fermentation in large oak barrels, to enhance the wine’s authenticity and sense of place. 

This Barolo is an outstanding representation of the 2020 vintage and a superb addition to any collection, offering a harmonious blend of finesse, structure, and aging potential. This is designated a Barolo DOCG Classico and is 100% Nebbiolo, blended from the various vineyards of the Massolino estate, crafted to be a ‘holistic expression of our hills’. Made from grapes grown in different vineyards, Barolo DOCG Classico Massolino “represents the synthesis of the different characteristics offered by each terroir”, resulting in a wine of greater depth and complexity.

This blend of grapes sourced from across the Massolino estate vineyards, as compared to a single designated specific vineyard label, which are produced as ultra-premium bottlings and ultra-premium price-points, such as the one served at our Destin Wine Dinner - 2020 Massolino Barolo from the Margheria Vineyard. 

It should be noted that this is a premium wine, as indicated by the DOCG designation, and is a price-point  twice that of the Barbera D’Alba. The producer notes - “Barolo DOCG classico occupies an outstanding role for our estate. With this wine, we wish to propose a bottle of the very highest level!” 

So, the progression of these wines in this post, range from $25, to $50, to $120 to $185. 

This is traditionally aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for up to 30 months before being left to mature in bottles placed in special dark, cool cellars, “to maintain a purer and more forthright identity. A broad and variable range of aromas, with a surprising expressive evolution over time.” 

Nebbiolo is more than a bit deceiving. It looks pale and light like a Pinot Noir, but it produces big bold, powerful full bodied, wines that also tend to be mercilessly tannic. 

This classic label was first produced by Massolino in 1947.

While the spaghetti was even better the following evening, it was nicely paired with this more complex and sophisticated red wine. 

The 2020 vintage is a beautiful example of the house style, combining elegance, power, and structure. This Barolo opens with aromas of red cherries, wild berries, and rose petals, accompanied by notes of tobacco, spices, and subtle earthy undertones. 

The wine is classic Barolo and its distinctive style and profile - full-bodied on the palate, with firm tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, persistent finish. The balance of fruit and structure makes this Barolo approachable in its youth, but it also has the depth and complexity to age gracefully for many years. 

Winemaker notes - “Appearance: garnet red colour with variable intensity depending on the vintage. Bouquet: the grapes come from different vineyards and this gives them a broad and variable spectrum of perfumes, ranging from tempting spicy notes to those of a sweeter, floral and fruity nature. Flavour: a variety of sensations, with a full-bodied, classic and well structured wine which ages well and perfectly represents the important character of our land.”

The 2020 vintage was rated 94 points by James Suckling, 93 points by Kerin O'Keefe and Wine Enthusiast, and 92 points by Jeb Dunnuck.

Medium ruby colored, medium bodied, complex but nicely balanced and smooth, expressive bright vibrant ripe mixed berry fruits with notes of savory herbs, cedar, black tea, hints of clove spice, anise, tar with mineral, soft velvety tannins, on the moderate finish.

RM 92 points.  

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/4939851

Massolino Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda Nebbiolo 2015

I acquired this ultra-premium aged vintage label from Binny’s wine cellar which we’ll hold for a special occasion, suitable for opening such a wine. 

The CellarTracker posted drinking window for this wine is 2025 through 2044, hence its just now entering its prime drinking window, having benefited from a decade of aging, and it is projected to last for another two decades at its peak. 

Wines such as this are made for long term cellaring and aging, holding for a perfect opportunity and occasion for enjoying, and pairing with optimal food. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/3273868

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3273868

https://www.massolino.it/en/