Massolino Vigna Rionda Riserva Barolo 2017

Firstly I must say the best wine I have enjoyed this year was a 2001 vintage of Vigna Rionda – greedily only shared with 3 of us. Marl, clay soils, some ironstone, with a large component of limestone (13%) – I think this is a big part of the secret of this wine. Bright red and black cherry, licorice, an earthy elegance – the flavours run deeper than the others and flavours build on each other. All the favourite descriptors are there – licorice blood orange, orange zest, earth, leather touch of tar. Deeper concentration and Serralunga written all over it. Give it 10 – 20 years please. Ian Cook, FWC. 

“The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is flat out stunning. All the purest essence of Rionda comes through in a captivating Barolo that dazzles. Sweet red cherry fruit, kirsch, rose petal, licorice and blood orange are some of the many aromas and flavors that lift from the glass. Exotic and racy, the 2017 is a flat-out stunner. Now, for the million dollar question. Is it better than the 2016? Right now, I give an edge to the 2017 for its greater finesse and total sense of exotic beauty. But time will be the judge. I do look forward to tasting the 2016 and 2017 side by side!” 98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

“Bright red cherry, mint, potpourri, new leather, liquorice root. So fragrant. Fresh, very fine, tannin has a succulence, and they sit so well within the wine, melting through its core. Red fruits (strawberry in particular), tea and blood orange, and a superb long finish of precision and freshness. A beautiful expression of Vigna Rionda, and one that belies the heat of the vintage.” 97 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.