The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is flat out stunning. All the purest essence of Rionda comes through in a captivating Barolo that dazzles. Sweet red cherry fruit, kirsch, rose petal, licorice and blood orange are some of the many aromas and flavors that lift from the glass. Exotic and racy, the 2017 is a flat-out stunner. Now, for the million dollar question. Is it better than the 2016? Right now, I give an edge to the 2017 for its greater finesse and total sense of exotic beauty. But time will be the judge. I do look forward to tasting the 2016 and 2017 side by side!

This is a gorgeous wine, and although it could stand more years of aging, you're not wrong to enjoy it in the near or medium term either. The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is packed tight with dark fruit, but it also shows a delicately savory edge with black licorice and rusty metal. The wine's intensity and the mouthfeel are sublime. Aging sees it go into botte for 36 months followed by another 36 months in bottle before its release. Production is 12,500 bottles.

Serralunga d’Alba. Massolino’s finest site, identified early on by Bruno Giacosa for the first single-vineyard Barolo. Limestone on an unusual concentration of iron oxide mixed with some sand. Less white and compact than Parafada. Mainly south facing with some facing south-west. The wine is aged for 2.5 years in oak and a total of five years before release. Just released in autumn 2023. Pale garnet. Intense, opulent nose and very toasty, complex fruit. Dry finish but very impressive, and so clean – like a healthy mouthwash! Much more intense than Parafada. Subtle. (JR)