Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva DOCG 2019

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

05494019 · 0,75 l · 225,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping10 units available
Limitation of 3 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 2019 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is a wine of elegance and poise. Given the style of the year, I expected a more austere young Rionda. Today, it surprises with its relatively open-knit personality. There's plenty of depth and structure, but the 2019 is neither austere nor forbidding. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, white pepper and mint build nicely as this shows off its charms." Vinous

"A slightly old-fashioned and aromatic wine with notes of coffee grounds, leather, prunes and licorice. The attack is lush, with a full body, velvety condensed tannins, refreshing acidity and intoxicating prunes and umami in the dusty finish. Poised and balanced despite its structure." James Suckling

"Massolino is now the largest landowner in Vignarionda, with approximately 3.5ha. It is bottled separately only as a Riserva – and not every vintage. The 2019 demonstrates the cool, elegant character of the vintage. It starts with subtle spicy snaps of pepper and sage against a rhubarb background. Eventually, flint and garden rose come to the fore. The palate is like biting into a perfectly ripe pomegranate with a crunch of the seeds, tartness of juice and cleansing tannins. Beautifully sculpted with toned muscles and proper thrilling grip, a sophisticated bottling packing nothing extraneous." Decanter

"The 2019 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is quite special in that it offers dark fruit, tar, campfire ash and burnt ember. It shows the power and heft of the vintage with the concentration, although in appearance, the wine is shiny and bright. It has a very beautiful mouthfeel with a glossy sheen to the tannins. In fact, the palate is the best part of this expertly crafted Riserva. It comes together with more dark fruit and savory tobacco." Wine Advocate