Barolo Parafada DOCG 2021

Vigna Rionda di Massolino Flli | Piedmont
Az. Agr. Vigna Rionda S.S. | Piazza Cappellano 8 | IT 12050 Serralunga d'Alba

05493221 · 0,75 l · 104,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping1 unit available

In the seventies, Giovanni Massolino bought Parafada – a coup that he dared to pull off at a time when the economic situation was anything but rosy. But Giovanni was the kind of person who favours vision over caution. The site, whose name comes from the hamlet of the same name, lies 320 metres above sea level in that famous amphitheatre between Lazzarito and Gabutti, perfectly exposed to the south. A ridge location that offers natural protection from wind and storms – as if nature itself had realised that something special should grow here.

Massolino owns just one hectare. Sixty-year-old vines stand on compact, calcareous-marl soil that is so poor in nutrients that the vines have to root deeply – and therein lies the secret. Geological and morphological perfection that has developed over thousands of years. The grapes from here are exceptional: concentrated, intense, with the expressive power that has made Serralunga a legend. The Parafada has been vinified separately since 1990 – traditionally macerated in oak vats, then matured for thirty months in large Slavonian barrels and finally a further year in the bottle.

The result is a Barolo of rare complexity: deep garnet red with bright reflections, a bouquet of astonishing breadth – red fruits meet floral notes, spicy accents mingle with ethereal nuances. Robust, rich and austere on the palate. A wine that reflects Serralunga's soil diversity with every fibre. Powerful, yes – but with the elegance that only old vines and patient craftsmanship can produce. A Barolo for decades, which impresses today and will only really begin to tell its story in twenty years' time. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Barolo Parafada is a gorgeous, super-expressive Serralunga Barolo with beautiful mid-palate depth and fine balance. Translucent, sculpted red-toned fruit, orange peel and chalk take shape in the glass. This opens beautifully through the finish, showing notable textural presence and tons of character." Vinous

"Massolino’s 1.2ha in Parafada boast the estate’s oldest vines, now upwards of 60 years old. The precipitous, south-facing slope sits on compact, limestone-rich marls. It convenes at the intersection of finesse and power with the former ultimately favoured here. Flecks of rust, rosemary and bay laurel add dimension to the red currant and raspberry canvas. Precisely chiselled tannins are seamlessly woven in. Racy acidity propels minerals to the fore, reaching an intense crescendo with the energetic chalky finish." Decanter

"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." James Suckling

"The 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." Wine Advocate