2011 Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva

Killer notes of kirsch, blackberries, tapenade, and exotic spices all emerge from the 2011 Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva, which is medium to full-bodied, silky, sexy and elegant on the palate. First made in 1982, this cuvée comes from roughly seven different parcels in the Vigna Rionda vineyard, which covers 2.3 hectares in Serralunga. Aged 3.5 years in Slovenian oak followed by 2.5 years in bottle, it’s gorgeously polished, elegant and layered, with incredible charm and character. With fine, sweet tannin, integrated acidity, no hard edges, and a great finish, it’s a sensational Barolo to enjoy over the coming two decades or more.

Massolino's 2011 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is a more than worthy follow up to the stellar 2010. Silky, perfumed and incredibly inviting, the 2011 will also give up its considerable charms much earlier. Sweet red cherry, rose petal, spice, hard candy and mint give the 2011 its inner sweetness. Above all else, the 2011 captures a compelling middle ground that balances the warmth of the year with a classic sense of structure. The 2011 is a racy, alluring Rionda that is going to be nearly impossible to resist, even young.

The 2011 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is an exuberant and expressive wine with dark cherry fruit, spice, tobacco and black truffle. There is a pretty earthy quality on hand that is delivered in an elegant and understated manner. What I like most about this wine is that it does not show evident signs of the warm summer growing season. Any extra fruit ripeness or sweetness is carefully tucked in at the back. Give this Riserva another ten years of bottle aging to let it flesh out further.