2012 Barolo Massara
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Barolo Massara is a very pretty wine. Succulent red cherry and floral notes give the 2012 a decidedly bright, lifted profile to play off the wine's pliant fruit. There is good density to the 2012, along with more than enough tannin and overall structure to suggest the wine will drink well for years to come. Slightly gamy undertones suggest the 2012 will always be a bit on the rustic side. Even so, this is a big step up from the 2011.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Pale crimson. Quite intense, rather agricultural aromas! It hits the palate with some sweetness but not excessively so. This seems well balanced and lively. And it seems as though it will develop very nicely too. Neat and fresh. (JR)
Verduno. Mid ruby with an orange rim. Gorgeous cherry nose with a hint of oak, and already showing signs of development, yet much more youthful on the palate. Firm, stalky, tannic framework and gorgeous cherry fruit. Slightly astringent but the fruit is quite pure. (WS)
Fermentation in tronconic oak, took a total of 10 days to terminate. At the beginning, lots of punching down. Temperature is allowed to go up as high as 32 °C. When the alcoholic fermentation is almost over, the cap is kept submerged in the wine (‘capello sommerso’). The wine is kept on the skins for 40 days, after which it is racked off in stainless steel to undergo a natural decantation before it is aged in large oak. Bottled July 2015. Brilliant mid ruby with orange tinges. Immediate but composed, spicy Nebbiolo nose. Gripping tannins and lovely, vivid acidity. Fine Marasca cherry notes on the finish. Really firm, firm tannins and long and with plenty of depth on finish. (WS)