Massolino Parafada Barolo 2017

In 1957, Parafada became the Massolino family’s first prime parcel in Serralunga and it is still home to their oldest vines. Legend has it that Giovanni Massolino planted these vines when he was just 17 years old. Today these 60-plus year old vines produce smaller berries with more concentrated fruit as a result. Located between Gabutti and Lazzarito, Massolino’s 1.5-hectare parcel rises steeply from 300 to 340 metres above sea level and faces due south, catching the full face of the sun. The aspect, the old vines and the dense clay/marly/lime-infused soils (Formazione di Lequio for short) typically result in the densest, most powerful wine of Massolino’s three Serralunga Crus. 

There’s always a deeper register here than in the Margheria for example, with the florals of Margheria replaced by a deeper set of plummy, earthy fruit and spice. While this is again the case in 2017, it seems this vineyard offers finer and finer wines with each vintage, ever more balanced and delicious. Another outstanding example, this is a ripe, powerful and fleshy Parafada yet it is also very mineral and long. It’s not a wine to open when you’re feeling like something delicate, but nonetheless it’s super impressive.

“Massolino's vineyards are at 330 metres above sea level and produce one of the most representative wines of the MGA. Intense smoky woodland notes emerge first, then wild strawberry and darker violet-soaked fruits. There's serious elegance on the palate, with near-perfect tannins (not only in the context of the vintage), a youthful character, and a dense mid-palate of lifted acidity and filigreed depth. A great wine but not so easy to drink now because of its youthful restraint.” 97 points, Aldo Fiordelli, Decanter