Massolino Barolo 2004

The 2004 Barolo is a classically-built wine redolent of perfumed, sweet fruit, violets, spices, tar, new leather, menthol and herbs. This medium-bodied, firm Barolo offers outstanding elegance and purity. On the palate, it has a lovely balance of ripe, raspberry fruit, with spicy, savoury notes and rounded, ripe tannins. Approachable even at this early stage, the 2004 is supple and appealing.

PRODUCER

This 15 hectare estate has been in the Massolino family since 1896. Since 1994 the style of the wines has undergone a subtle transformation. Winemaker Franco Massolino has done a wonderful job of marrying change with a respect for tradition, something that sets him apart from most of the younger producers in Barolo today. This is in part dictated by the nature of the vineyards that the Massolino family owns in the commune of Serralunga d’Alba – the source of some of the greatest, most structured, robust and long-lived Barolos.

VINEYARDS and VINTAGE

Fruit for the Barolo was sourced from grapes grown in several vineyard sites in Serralunga d’Alba, situated at an altitude of 320-360 metres above sea level. The soil is composed predominantly of limestone. The vines are Guyot-trained and are planted at a density of 5,000 to 6,000 vines per hectare. They range in age from 5 to 36 years old. The average yield is 52hl/ha. 2004 followed a more regular pattern in comparison with the scorching hot 2003 vintage. Good levels of rainfall in winter and spring, followed by a sunny but not over hot summer meant that the grapes were picked slightly later than 2003 in good condition. The resulting wines are perfumed with excellent balance of acidity and alcohol.

VINIFICATION

The grapes for this wine were hand-picked in the second half of October. Fermentation and maceration lasted approximately 15 days at temperatures between 31-33ºC. The wine was matured in large oak casks for 30 months followed by a year in bottle before release.

Decanter World Wine Awards 2009

Gold Medal Award

A Tasting video with Franco Massolino

http://www.winetastetv.com/video/tastings/nebbiolo/2042/article%3C!---francomassolino---%3E