Massolino Barolo 'Parussi' 2017
SKU
MABP201710 UCAU
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The Massolino clan purchased a 1.3-hectare plot of this cru in 2007
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It is the only Barolo vineyard that they own outside of Serralunga
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The iron-rich, ‘blue clay’ soils here are a little lighter, more oxygenated, with more silt and less clay than Serralunga
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1 or more bottles$200.00
Editors notes
This is the only Barolo vineyard that Massolino owns outside of Serralunga, ‘the egg outside of the nest’ as an old Piemonte saying goes. On the crest of the ridge, Parussi is next to the Serralunga border on the Castiglione Falletto side. The blue, iron-rich Sant'Agata marls here are a little lighter and more oxygenated, with more silt and less clay than in Serralunga. This makes for more vigour in the vines and a completely different style of wine. The Massolino family were attracted to the excellent south-easterly to south-westerly exposure of the vines, combined with the vine age (45 years) and the vineyard’s situation at 300 metres above sea level. To this day, Massolino is the only Barolo producer to bottle a single-vineyard wine from this Cru.
The commune of Castiglione lies closer to the geographical centre of Barolo and generally generates wines with robust tannins and deep fruit. The Massolino team have shown their greater knowledge of this vineyard following each vintage, evolving both the viticulture and the winemaking to produce wines of ever-greater finesse. This is quite different from the Serralunga wines, with more pungent depth and firmer tannins. It is an outstanding example of Castiglione Falletto—with the depth of the place and the class of Massolino. Again, this is one the best examples of this wine yet. It’s deep and intense, with the classic, firm tannins of the site. With air the wine blossoms, revealing more and more finesse and seduction. Super classy stuff.
Details
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Wine Type
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Vintage
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Variety
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Brand
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Location
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Cellaring
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Alcohol Percentage
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Oak Type
Tasting Profile
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Light (Light)Full (Full)
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Low Tannin (Low Tannin)Tannic (Tannic)
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Sweet (Sweet)Dry (Dry)
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Low Acidity (Low Acidity)High Acidity (High Acidity)
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Aroma
- Earthy
- Roses
- Tar
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Palate
- Floral
- Savoury
- Tar
Food Pairings
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Game -
Pork -
Red Meat
Critic Scores & reviews
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Decanter
97"“The estate's first Barolo made from grapes grown outside of the Serralunga d’Alba commune, retaining the refined style of the estate; as respectful as it is precise. The wine is restrained and chiselled, with a detailed nose of violet, vibrant sandalwood and wild strawberry. Fleshy first, then velvety, this is polished in the mouth, with mid-palate weight and firm acidity. The structure seems filigreed but it's there, and it's built for the long haul.”"
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Vinous
95"“The 2017 Barolo Parussi is a classic Castiglione Falletto Barolo. Sweet floral notes and bright, red berry fruit open first as the 2017 shows off its considerable charms. Medium in body and silky (for the year), with exceptional balance, the 2017 Parussi is stellar. This is an unbelievably classy Barolo.”"
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The Wine Advocate
94"“With fruit from Castiglione Falletto, the Massolino 2017 Barolo Parussi is a standout in this portfolio of wines mainly from Serralunga d'Alba. Thanks to its protective positioning at the center of the appellation where it draws upon the soils and exposures of the surrounding areas, Castiglione Falletto performs very nicely in a vintage that saw extreme weather with frost and drought. What the Parussi brings to the table is more focus and sharpness, with red fruits, crushed rose, cooling limestone mineral and some dried mint.”"
Other vintages
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Locations
Italy
Italy has some of the oldest wine production methods in the world and almost every part of the country is planted under vine. From the Alps in the north to the very southernmost parts of Sicily where Africa is almost in sight, wine is successfully cultivated. In addition to the latitude covered, Italy's many mountains and hills provide a plethora of altitudes for grape growing in various soils and micro-climates. The extensive coastlines along the peninsula that is Italy provide maritime climates for the coastal wine-growing areas. Over 350 grape varieties are 'authorised' in Italy, though up to 550 varieties are thought to be grown.
The classification system of Italian wines has four classes, with the intention of defining a wine's origin a quality. Two of these classes are table wines, whilst DOC and DOCG fall under the EU quality wine produced in a specific region category. Vino da Tavola (VDT) means that the wine comes from Italy. Most of these wines are generally basic table wines that are consumed domestically. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes a more specific region within Italy, and the resultant will be of higher quality than simple table wines, but won't conform to the rules required for higher certification. Both Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) are regionally more specific than IGT, and have stricter rules regarding the grape varieties grown, yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels and so on. The major difference between DOC and DOCG is that the latter has to undergo a blind-tasting session to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Italy has 32 DOCG appelations, 311 DOC appelations and 120 IGT zones.
Key regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto, Sicily and Sardinia. Common white varieties grown are Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Fiano and Moscato. The red varieties grown the most are Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Corvina.
Piedmont
Piedmont (Piemonte in Italian) is probably the finest wine region in all of Italy, and has laid claim to this since Roman times. It has a continental climate influenced by the surrounding Alps and Ligurian Apennines, and is located in the north-west of Italy, bordering both France and Switzerland.
Piedmont has only 1% of the total vineyards of Bordeaux and 15% that of Burgundy. So while a top Chateaux may produce upwards of 35,000 cases a year, leading Barolo producers will often make only 800 cases. More than half of its vineyards are registered with DOC designations and many are in the Apennine or Alpine foothills, from 300-600m above sea level. Most of the wines are produced by smaller family estates rather than larger holdings.
Piedmont has 46 different DOC and four DOCG regions, and produces the largest number of well known, world-recognized, prize-winning wines. The most famous would have to be Barolo or Barbaresco, whose power comes from the Nebbiolo grape variety. The most widely planted red variety is Barbera although Dolcetto, Muscat, Shiraz and Bonarda are also produced.
The white variety most well known is Moscato, which is often made into frizzante (bubbly) wines known as Asti. Cortese is made into the popular Gavi wines, and smaller amounts of Chardonnay and high quality Sparkling are also produced in the far north of Piedmont.
Barolo
Situated in the picturesque rolling hills of Piedmont, Italy, just south of the historic town of Alba, lies the renowned appellation of 'Barolo'. Steeped in tradition and history, this now DOCG status region is widely regarded as one of Italy's finest wine-producing areas, thanks to its production of exceptional red wines made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes.
Barolo wines are famed for their complex flavor profiles, firm tannins, and beguiling aromas, earning them the coveted title of ‘the King of Wines’ for centuries. While the DOCG defines winemaking practices, there are two distinct styles that winemakers tend to prefer - a traditional style and a modern style.
The region boasts two primary soil types - the sandy Tortonian marl, which tends to produce softer wines with a more delicate character, and the Helvetian sandstone clay, which typically gives rise to more robust, powerful wines. The continental climate of the area, characterized by a long summer and late autumn, provides an ideal environment for growing the fickle Nebbiolo grape to perfect ripeness, resulting in wines of unparalleled quality and character.
The winemaking history of Barolo can be traced back centuries, and the region's unique terroir, combined with the expertise of its winemakers, has resulted in the creation of some of Italy's most sought-after and collectible wines. Barolo wines are a perfect pairing with rich, hearty dishes, particularly those featuring truffles or wild game, and are a must-try for any serious wine lover.
In addition to producing world-class Barolo wines, the region is also renowned for its production of other fine wines, including Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Barbera, all of which showcase the unique character and terroir of this remarkable wine-growing region. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply looking to explore one of Italy's most captivating regions, Barolo is an unforgettable destination that is sure to delight and inspire.
About the brand Massolino
Massolino wines are the result of a privileged relationship with the vineyard, interpreting all its peculiarities and nuances. A relationship built up day by day thanks to personally supervising every moment in the production chain in all twenty-three hectares of the estate. The Classic Barolo is made with Nebbiolo grapes cultivated in vineyards situated in the area of Serralunga d’Alba at an altitude of 320 – 360 m above sea level, with a total surface area of 7 hectares. The soil is mainly calcareous with sometimes consistent variations from zone to zone.
The different subzones where the grapes originate give them a broad and variable spectrum of perfumes, ranging from the classic spicy notes to those of a sweeter, floral and fruity nature. Look out for wine from their Margheria, Parafada and Vigna Rionda vineyards. They constitute some of Serralunga’s most important and famous cru vineyards.
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