Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva DOCG 2019 · Double MAGNUM in OWC

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

05494319 · 3 l · 239,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping1 unit available
Limitation of 1 articles per customer

Giuseppe Massolino fell in love with a vineyard in 1956 and put all his eggs in one basket. In order to acquire a small part of the Vigna Rionda, he swapped a plot twice as large. Madness, people said. A stroke of luck, as it turned out. Because Giuseppe knew that Vigna Rionda was no ordinary vineyard. Since 1879, the name has been listed in Giovanni Gagna's book on viticulture in the Langhe – as one of the few places that produces exceptional wines. Before 1340, the land belonged to the Marquis of Saluzzo, then for centuries to the Falletti family. History knows many names for this hill: Vignarionda, Arionda, Rotonda – because of its round shape. But they all mean the same thing: the epitome of Serralunga.

From then on, Giuseppe called his winery "Azienda Agricola Vigna Rionda". Today, Massolino owns three hectares – almost thirty per cent of the total of ten hectares. This cru has been vinified separately since 1982, and Massolino is still the only producer to bottle a Vigna Rionda without interruption. A responsibility and an honour. Because what grows here cannot be explained rationally. Which microelements? Which slope of the ridge? What composition of limestone marl at an altitude of 300 metres makes this wine so unique? There is no single answer. The secret is part of the magic.

Vines up to fifty years old in the Guyot system. Long maceration in oak vats at 30 degrees, forty-two months in large Slavonian barrels, then a further twenty-four months in the bottle. Six years of patience. Only then does the Riserva leave the house – the only wine in the portfolio with this length of maturation. And even then it is still reserved, reticent, almost shy. But it unfolds over the years. Becomes eloquent. Reaches dimensions of complexity, longevity and structure, fused with an elegance that is unrivalled. A Barolo that bears no comparison – even within Serralunga. What is Vigna Rionda? A cru. A vineyard. A Barolo. A story. A world. And with patience, sip by sip, it reveals its soul ... SUPERIORE.DE

"The Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2019 is a wine of elegance and balance. Given the style of the year, I was expecting a more austere young Rionda. Today it surprises with its relatively open-hearted personality. It has a lot of depth and structure, but the 2019 is neither austere nor off-putting. Bright red fruits, blood orange, white pepper and mint unfold their charm in a pleasant way." Vinous

"A slightly old-fashioned and aromatic wine with notes of coffee grounds, leather, plums and liquorice. The attack is lush, with a full body, velvety condensed tannins, refreshing acidity and heady plum and umami on the dusty finish. Despite its structure, it is balanced and poised." James Suckling

"Massolino is now the largest landowner in Vignarionda with around 3.5 hectares. It is only bottled separately as a Riserva – and not every vintage. The 2019 demonstrates the cool, elegant character of the vintage. It begins with subtle spicy notes of pepper and sage against a background of rhubarb. Finally, flint and garden rose come to the fore. On the palate, it's like biting into a perfectly ripe pomegranate, with crunchy seeds, tart juice and cleansing tannins. Beautifully moulded, with taut muscles and a neat, exciting grip, a refined bottling that contains nothing superfluous." Decanter

"The Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2019 is very special, offering dark fruit, tar, campfire ash and burnt embers. It shows the power and weight of the vintage with concentration, although the wine is glossy and bright in appearance. It has a very nice mouthfeel with a glossy sheen of tannins. The palate is in fact the best part of this expertly crafted Riserva. It combines more dark fruits and spicy tobacco." Wine Advocate

"Stitched with concentrated flavors of cherry, black currant, plum, tar, iron and tobacco, this red combines power and finesse, with savory notes of eucalyptus and wild rosemary adding detail. There are still tannins to resolve, yet this remains fresh, multidimensional and built for the long haul. Superb aftertaste." Wine Spectator