Massolino, Barolo "Parafada"

Made from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Parafada vineyard (sheet no. 7, land parcels 44-12-6-269-368) in Serralunga d’Alba. Altitude: 330 m above sea level. Total surface area: 1.13 hectares. Soil composition: marl, limestone and sand. Training system and vine density: traditional Guyot, with about 5,800 vines per hectare.

Yield per hectare: 4.5 tonnes. Average age of vines: 55 years. Harvest: manual, in the second half of October. First year of production: 1990. Total bottles produced: 4,500 750 ml bottles, 100 1.5 l bottles and 50 3 l bottles. Alcohol content: 13.5-14.5% by Vol., (depending on the vintage) Vinification and ageing: traditional Barolo, 15-20 days of fermentation and maceration at 31-33° C; aged in oak barrels for about 30 months and left to mature in bottles placed in special, dark, cool cellars for at least a year.

Note: the age of the vineyard, the splendid exposure due south and the ridge protected from the wind give us grapes of absolute excellence. Tasting characteristics Appearance: deep garnet red with bright hues which naturally evolve with age. Bouquet: intense, very complex, offering a wide range of notes; with remarkable red fruit combined with floral and spicy hints. Especially after a few years of ageing, this Barolo shows all the elegance and charm that only Nebbiolo grapes can offer. Flavour: Flavour: robust, rich and austere.

It perfectly reflects the great complexity of the soil in Serralunga d’Alba. The perfect Barolo for long ageing. It is best to decant and serve it at temperatures between 18-20° C. The elegant companion for important rice and pasta dishes, such as risotto cooked in Barolo, and rich and tasty main courses, such as roast meats. After a few years of ageing, this Barolo expresses its considerable potential just as well when sipped as a wine for thought and served with hard and medium-hard cheeses.

Winery: Massolino
Appellation: Piedmont
Average age of vines: 55 years old
Farming Methods: Conventional
Maturation: Aged in oak barrels for about 30 months and left to mature in bottles placed in special, dark, cool cellars for at least a year
Soil: Marl, limestone and sand
Varietal: Nebbiolo
Vineyard Orientation: 330 meters
Vineyard Size: 1.13 hectares

Wine	Scores	Downloads	Reviews
Massolino, Barolo "Parafada" 2020	96 Wine Advocate No one consistently interprets Serralunga d’Alba fruit as well as Franco and Roberto Massolino. Their 2020 Barolo Parafada is an exceptional wine that doles out elegant tones of iron, rusty metal, blood orange and lavender. Parafada is a 1.2-hectare plot, and annual production is around 4,800 bottles. The high alcohol content (measured at 15%) presents a small distraction, but otherwise this wine is very tight, supple and almost glossy in texture. 95 Wine Spectator A mix of bright cherry and raspberry fruit, eucalyptus, menthol, iron and tobacco heralds this structured yet succulent red. Expressive, with the potential for aging, too. Shows fine balance, complexity and length. Best from 2027 through 2045. —B.S. 93 Vinous The 2020 Barolo Parafada is a delicate, focused wine. Bright red fruit, mint, white pepper and crushed herbs are all nicely delineated. This mid-weight, nervy Barolo is all class and very approachable now, but it needs time to be at its finest. 96 James Suckling Notes of dried raspberries, cherries, dried orange peel and ground spices. Some tar. Medium-bodied, structured and firm, with polished tannins. I like the energy and length here. Round and refined with a bright finish. So well done. Drink after 2027. 94 Wine Enthusiast This Barolo enchants with a captivating blend of herbal notes, featuring dried thyme, rosemary and a hint of mint. Tart red fruits, such as sour cherry and red currant, intertwine with spices like cinnamon and clove. The palate is generous and round, offering flavors of ripe red berries, fresh herbs and a subtle earthiness reminiscent of damp forest floor. Pleasant, well-integrated tannins provide structure, while the harmonious balance among herbal elemenetns, fruit and earth creates a truly pretty expression of Nebiolo. 95 Wine Spectator A mix of bright cherry and raspberry fruit, eucalyptus, menthol, iron and tobacco heralds this structured yet succulent red. Expressive, with the potential for aging, too. Shows fine balance, complexity and length. Best from 2027 through 2045. 390 cases made, 175 cases imported.	Bottle Image Label Image Shelf Talker Tech Sheet