91 Pts Wine Spectator

"Raspberry, truffle, tobacco and cedar on the nose. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and ultrafine tannins. This is refined, yet structured and muscular. Best after 2011. 2,500 cases made. -JS" -91 points Wine Spectator

"The 2004 Barolo is a classically-built wine redolent of perfumed, sweet fruit, violets, spices, tar, new leather, menthol and herbs. This medium-bodied, firm Barolo offers outstanding elegance and purity. It is a terrific effort at this level. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014."

"Brothers Franco and Roberto Massolino have a top-flight set of wines with their 2004 Barolos. The wines are fermented in cement, then undergo malolactic fermentation in a combination of cement and steel prior to being racked into large Slavonian oak casks for roughly two and half years." -90 points - Antonio Galloni - Wine Advocate

WINE:

"The estate's classic Barolo is ruby red in color. It has aromas of plums and berries with hints of meat. Full-bodied with soft, round tannins and a long, long finish." -Importer

VINIFICATION:
"The soils are compacted chalk and shale and the vines are between 6 to 40 years old. The vineyards are located in Serralunga d'Alba, at 310-345 meters above sea level facing south-southwest. The grapes are harvested in mid-October and fermented in stainless steel for 13-18 days. The wine is aged for 24 months in botte and then 12-18 months in the bottle." -Importer

WINERY:
"Established in 1896 by Giovanni Massolino, the winery has been dedicated to the production of great wines from the Langhe area for four generations, of which three generations are currently involved in day-to-day winemaking activities. Today Giuseppe Massolino, who was one of the founders of the Consorzio Barolo e Barbaresco, oversees his sons Giovanni and Renato, who split responsibility for the vineyards and cellar management, while Giovanni's son Franco is the winemaker. Over the years, the name Massolino has become synonymous with robust, concentrated and well-structured Barolo." -Importer