Massolino Barbera d'Alba 2019
-
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Wilfred
Wong
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Deep purplish, almost impenetrable red color. Elegant, sweet, and tempting nose where the intense and fruity notes characteristic of Barbera emerge. Vinous, fresh, and well-balanced on the palate. An easy to drink wine which is tasty and rich without being excessively heavy.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
A bright, fruity young barbera with crushed berries and cherries and hints of orange peel. Medium body, easy tannins and a fresh, tangy finish.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Here's a fresh, primary expression of Barbera that highlights dark fruit and sweet summer cherry. The Massolino 2019 Barbera d'Alba is all about that fresh and succulent fruit, although, if you spend a little extra time examining the bouquet, you will uncover nicely integrated aromas of forest floor and button mushroom. It ages in cement for six months. This is a cheerful, exuberant and fruit-driven wine that calls out for a plate of fettuccine with porcini. It's not a particularly complex or complicated wine, but it gains points for its easy and proud accessibility.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Massolino Barbera d'Alba is an excellent example of this DOC. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of black fruit and licorice. Enjoy its vibrant finish with grilled, lightly-spiced lamb chops. (Tasted: April 11, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
Other Vintages
2021-
James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling -
Wilfred
Wong
-
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling
-
Tasting
Panel
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker
The history of the Massolinos and their wine became entwined with the history of Serralunga d’Alba in 1896, when Giovanni Massolino founded the estate. An enterprising, tenacious, and creative man, Giovanni was the very first person to bring electricity to the village. Giovanni’s son, Giuseppe, built Massolino’s first wine cellar, extended the estate into the best soils, and in 1934 founded the Consortium for the Defence of Barolo and Barbaresco. Three of Giovanni’s children later followed in his footsteps, expanding the estate with the purchase of cru vineyards which are authentic jewels: Margheria, Parafada, and Vigna Rionda. In the 1990s, Franco and Roberto, both oenologists, joined the family estate. Their work condenses the experience of an entire family and the ambition of a new generation, determined to make an important contribution to the innovation of oenological and agronomical techniques and to the image of the estate in Italy and abroad. Massolino makes wine with passion in its land of origin, preserving the typical characteristics of indigenous grape varieties. Central to the winery’s philosophy is the conviction that there is a deep, tangible link between the vines, hills, and winegrowers, whose connection and affinity to the land grows more profound with each passing year.
Friendly and approachable, Barbera produces wines in a wide range of styles, from youthful, fresh and fruity to serious, structured and age-worthy. Piedmont is the most famous source of Barbera; those from Asti and Alba garner the most praise. Barbera actually can adapt to many climates and enjoys success in some New World regions. Somm Secret—In the past it wasn’t common or even accepted to age Barbera in oak but today both styles—oaked and unoaked—abound and in fact most Piedmontese producers today produce both styles.
An historic village situated right in between the famous regions of Barolo and Barbaresco, Alba is also the name for the larger wine region surrounding the village.
In a sense, “Alba” is a catch-all phrase, and includes the declassified Nebbiolo wines made in Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as the Nebbiolo grown just outside of these regions’ borders. In fact, Nebbiolo d’Alba is a softer, less tannic and more fruit-forward wine ready to drink within just a couple years of bottling. It is a great place to start if you want to begin to understand the grape. Likewise, the even broader category of Langhe Nebbiolo offers approachable and value-driven options as well.
Barbera, planted alongside Nebbiolo in the surrounding hills, and referred to as Barbera d’Alba, takes on a more powerful and concentrated personality compared to its counterparts in Asti.
Dolcetto is ubiquitous here and, known as Dolcetto d'Alba, can be found casually served alongside antipasti on the tables of Alba’s cafes and wine bars.
Not surprisingly, given its location, Alba is recognized as one of Italy’s premiere culinary destinations and is the home of the fall truffle fair, which attracts visitors from worldwide every year.