Barolo, Massara, 2017
The opposite to 2018, this was a drier vintage where the estate did not carry out any green harvests in order to retain freshness in the grapes. An alluring nose of dark fruit and woody spice, and then a radiant palate kicks in, offering a great deal more freshness than the nose first suggests. There are some wonderful glimpses here of the fragrant "Verduno" blue fruit character and finesse. Fine bright red berry and cherry notes with background touches of blueberry, violet and ground spice. A triumph of vineyard over vintage. An east facing vineyard that is so good in hot vintages. An east, south-east facing vineyard from Verduno, a commune influenced by the close proximity to the river where there are big day/night temperature differences that help build up aroma in the wines. Aged for three years in large Slavonian oak casks
critic reviews
The 2017 Barolo Massara is a very pretty wine from Castello di Verduno. Sweet floral notes, red-toned fruit and mid-weight structure give the 2017 a brighter profile and a more gracious feel relative to the darker 2016. This mid-weight, translucent Barolo has plenty to offer. I would give it a few years in bottle.