Massolino's 2016 Barolo is a gorgeous wine that brings together all the best qualities of the year. Bright and pliant, yet with terrific structural intensity, the 2016 is a wonderfully complete, harmonious Barolo that will delight readers for the next 15 to 20 years. Dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice add striking shades of nuance. Massolino's straight Barolo is a fabulous wine in its peer group. Vineyard sources include Briccolina, Collareto, Brolio and Le Turne.

Decadent and rich on the nose with lots of ripe fruit and meaty undertones. Almost truffle-like. Full body, lots of ripe tannins and plenty of fruit. Still needs time to soften. Big and juicy for the vintage. Better in 2018 but impressive now.

A stream of pure, juicy cherry fruit is at the heart of this red, along with mineral, tobacco and wild herb notes. Firm and tightly wound, with a matrix of dense, refined tannins for support. All the elements are in the right proportions, this just needs time. Best from 2023 through 2045. BS

The classic Massolino 2016 Barolo sources its fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, although a tiny percentage of Castiglione Falletto is part of the blend. This wine is linear and tight, with an arsenal of important Nebbiolo aromas ranging from red cherry and cassis to spice, smoke, licorice, dried ginger, rusty nail and blood orange. What really stands out is the structural importance of the wine. It delivers firmness and strength, while allowing the delicate side of the grape to coexist without interference. An ample 70,000 bottles of this well-priced Barolo were produced. ML