Massolino Parafada Barolo 2021 Magnum

I’ll say WOW up front for this wine. Riper, richer, more intensity with smoke, a bloody meat note, black licorice, blood orange ( love it) and more grainy tannins. In fact I noted a touch of graphite pervaded the second half of the wine. You need to pay attention. This will be my favourite with 10 -  20 years cellaring. Under 10 years of age  drink the Margheria. Ian Cook, Five Way Cellars.

Planted in 1957, Parafada was the Massolino family’s first prime parcel in Serralunga. It is still home to their oldest vines which, at 66 years old, produce smaller berries with more concentrated fruit. Located between Gabutti and Lazzarito, Massolino’s 1.2-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, old vines and dense clay/marl/lime-infused soils—Formazione di Lequio—so rich in limestone and clay produces a denser and more powerful wine than Margheria. This is also the case in 2021; although the tannins are super fine, and the wine is so well balanced, translucent and sculpted. Even as such a young wine, it is already beautifully expressive. You feel the structural austerity and depth of fruit typically associated with this vineyard, but with such class and finesse. This was also fermented exclusively in large oak fermenters and aged exclusively in large casks. Perhaps the finest release we have tasted young from this site.

“The Massolino 2021 Barolo Parafada is also from Serralunga d'Alba, although this MGA site reveals a different profile based on flowers and dried herbs. The wine has a botanical feel with crushed oregano that frames cassis, wild cherry and plum. There is a ferrous note of rusty nail that is characteristic of this site and adds another level of complexity. This wine is structured, taut and shows incredible tension.” 97 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

“This is really perfumed, with violets, bark, attractive blue fruit and a touch of cedar. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with some juicy, pleasant fruit that is dominated by youthful, austere tannins that should resolve with time. This should come together in four to five years.” 97 points, James Suckling, jamesuckling.com