There are many great things to write about Massolino, a family winery based in Serralunga d’Alba. As I reflect on these wines, I am struck by the harmony and perfection of the overall portfolio: the clear identity of each product and its placement within the Massolino quality pyramid MONICA LARNER 2020

Massolino has really been on a roll over the last few vintages… truly impressive wines that further solidify the estate’s place among the elite producers of Barolo. While these wines have been terrific for quite some time, in recent years Massolino has found an added element of finesse and nuance. ANTONIO GALLONI

There is a fervour around the Massolino release these days. They have concreted their position as one of the most sought after Barolo producers. They have been a go to for those in the know for a long time, now everyone seems to have caught on.

The interest has also shifted from being all about the Cru Baroli to a broader recognition that while this estate may produce some of the finest Barolo on the planet it also over delivers across its entire range. I usually have their trio of “every day” wines up in my mix for must have drinks over the cooler months. Often the Dolcetto is the winner in the line up for me. of the 19s though there is no doubt that the Langhe is punching up pretty hard and edging more towards Barolo territory rather than Langhe DOC. Certainly, if served blind, no one would criticize you for guessing that this was a very good quality commune Barolo.

Maybe there is a couple of tells in the wine is, the tannins are pretty sweet and readily give way to the cool edged, mint laced, fruit which is a little rounder and more plumply (such a nice descriptor that) sumptuous than you see from their usually pretty robust young Baroli. Still, it has all the aromatic interest, the heft and drive of a far more “prestigious” bottling. I completely agree with Galloni when he says “The 2019 is clearly a wine for the dinner table” but perhaps not all immediately.

There is more than enough structure and the fruit is sufficiently robust that it will open up and build a little more pleasure over a few years. Either way, drink it now or in 2025, its going to really impress no matter when the thing is ripped open.

I opened mine with a roast Milking Yard Farm chicken on Saturday night. Why am I telling you this? No real reason I guess, it just made me so happy to drink a wine like that with a perfectly roasted drumstick of chicken with gravy and cauliflower puree. A little side point I guess… how good is roast chicken? Banging bottle of wine and a good old hunk of bird on the plate. Man… good times. You should buy some of this and try it yourself. Let me know how it goes.

The original shipment, and our allocation of it (all six or so dozen), sold out in a heartbeat and, as far as I knew, that was the end of the story. Much to our surprise, and my delight, a top up has arrived and we have asked to take everything the importer will let us grab. It doesn’t amount to a giant stash, but there is enough to offer this brilliant little Nebb a little more widely now. Try and spread a bit of Massolino love around.

We last had stock of this in August 2021. I will assume that has all been drunk now. There will be no third go at this and once it has all sold then, in the immortal words of Jim Morrison “this is the end”.

I am supremely confident that the hordes of adoring Piemontese wine fans that are part of the PWS family will inhale this when the time comes. It ticks all the right boxes, style, quality, price. Get amongst it.