Celebrating A Century of Traditional Barolo

Great-grandfather Giovanni Massolino began the story of the Vigna Rionda-Massolino winery in 1896. Today, three generations of the Massolino family work side-by-side, sharing the experiences and mind sets of different eras to produce remarkable results.

Grandfather Giuseppe oversees the younger generations, providing advice and guidance as each vintage turns up new challenges. Brothers Giovanni and Renato run the vineyards and cellar, respectively. Grandson Franco crafts the wines, adhering to tradition while experimenting with modern solutions to constantly improve the quality of the wines. Their combined efforts result in a line of well structured, robust Baroli, which develop gracefully when given the chance to age.

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Massolino Barolo

- Nebbiolo from several vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba
- Average age of vines in production: 4 to 35 years
- First year of production: 1911

For this wine, grapes from all the Massolino vineyards are blended to maintain a consistent quality level, which can be difficult in poor vintages. The deep garnet core lightens several shades as it moves to the watery rim. The bouquet shows a vast range of compelling scents, from the heady spice notes to the delicate floral tones. Full-bodied on the palate with deft tannins and mouthwatering acidity, the flavors stretch from forest berry fruit to eucalyptus and cedar.

1999 $34.00

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Barolo Margheria

- Nebbiolo from the Margheria "cru" in Serralunga d’Alba
- First year of production: 1985
- Total bottles produced: 10,000

Grapes from the Margheria cru are vinified using traditional methods to accentuate their natural characteristics. The result is a wine that forms the perfect link between wines best drunk young and wines requiring a long aging period. Deep brick red. Pungent and youthful with swirls of raspberries, dried strawberries and spice. Characteristic of the Margheria cru, this wine boasts clear woodland notes. A harmonious wine with well-defined structure.

1999 $45.00

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Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva

- Nebbiolo from Vigna Rionda in Serralunga d’Alba
- Average age of vines in production: 15 to 35 years
- First year of production: 1982
- Total bottles produced: 15,500

The altitude, microclimate and soil structure of this vineyard enable the production of wines with a potential rarely found elsewhere. Bright garnet red interspersed with flecks of orange. Intense aromas of cherry, raspberry, herbs and earth that will evolve dramatically with age. Broad swathes of red cherry jam, rose petal and licorice cut through the palate. Solid and lean with slightly dusty tannins. This is not an easily understood wine, but it will no doubt reward the trained and demanding palate with a range of sensations that are simply unique. Don’t forget to decant this one!

1997 $59.00
1996 $59.00

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Moscato d'Asti

- Moscato from various vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba
- Average age of vines in production: 18 to 22 years
- First year of production: 1993
- Total bottles produced: 11,000

A very special, small production Moscato! The classic vinification for this dessert wine aims to highlight the notes of sage and mint qualities the soils of Serralunga d’Alba contribute to this package. Straw yellow with tiny, persistent beads. The nose is tempting, fresh and intense with obvious peach, nectarine and sage overtones.

2000 $11.50

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Say It, Don't Spray It!

It's fairly easy to stumble on the names of Italian wines and regions, especially after a few glasses. Here's a guide that will help you untie your tongue as you explore the world of wines. You won't learn the language, but you will be able to ask for the wine by name.

There are more than 15,000 wines from Italy, France, Germany and Spain included in this guide. We have a limited number of copies that have been signed by the author and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Should you have any questions regarding the book or the wines in this e-Letter please contact our Portfolio Managers at 212.473.2323.

How To Pronounce (French, German, & Italian Wine Names)
By Diana Bellucci $30.00 (Soft cover, 347 pages)

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