Barolo: Italy's King of Wine - Everything You Need to Know
In the world of fine red wine, there are perhaps four or five names that need no introduction. Bordeaux. Burgundy. Champagne. And, for those who have made the journey, Barolo. Produced from the Nebbiolo grape in the hills of Langhe in Piedmont, northwest Italy, Barolo is a wine of extraordinary power, complexity, and longevity - one that rewards patience, rewards knowledge, and, above all, rewards drinking with people you love around a table laden with food.
At Steves Winestore in Nedlands, we have long championed the wines of Piedmont, and our current cellar holds one of Perth's finest selections of Barolo and Barolo Riserva from the acclaimed producer Massolino.
What Is Barolo, and What Makes It Special?
Barolo is produced exclusively in a small cluster of villages in the Langhe hills south of Alba in Piedmont - Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba, and a handful of others. The wine must be made from 100% Nebbiolo, the local red variety, and must be aged for a minimum of three years before release (five years for Riserva), at least 18 months of which must be in oak.
Nebbiolo is a remarkable grape: high in both tannin and acidity, it produces wines that are almost impenetrably tannic in their youth but transform over time into something of extraordinary complexity. A great Barolo at fifteen years of age begins to reveal its full palette of flavours - dried roses, tar, leather, truffle, dried cherries, liquorice, tobacco, and a mineral, almost ethereal quality that is entirely unique to the variety and the place.
This is not a wine for immediate gratification. But for those with the patience - and the cellar space - to wait, Barolo offers rewards that few other wines in the world can match.
Massolino Barolo 2020 DOCG - A Modern Classic
Massolino is one of the great names in Barolo, a family estate in Serralunga d'Alba that has been making wine since 1896. The Serralunga zone is known for producing Barolos of particular power and structured tannin - wines that are among the most age-worthy in the entire appellation. The family combines traditional winemaking methods - long maceration with the grape skins to extract colour, tannin, and flavour - with modern precision in the cellar.
The 2020 vintage has been widely hailed as one of the finest recent years in Barolo. The wines have exceptional concentration and depth, with a freshness and purity that suggests very long ageing potential. The Massolino 2020 shows dark cherry, tar, roses, and an impressive mineral backbone on the nose. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with Serralunga's signature iron-fisted tannins framing a core of gorgeous red fruit. Plan to cellar this for at least five years before opening - though the very curious can give it a couple of hours in a decanter for a preview of what's to come. Available at $175.
Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva 2014 - A Wine for the Ages
For serious collectors, the Massolino Vigna Rionda Riserva is one of the most coveted bottles in Piedmont. Vigna Rionda is considered by many to be the finest single vineyard - or MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva) - in all of Serralunga d'Alba, a perfectly positioned south-facing amphitheatre of Tortonian clay-limestone soils that produces wines of quite extraordinary depth and complexity.
The 2014 vintage was challenging in Barolo, with rain and cool conditions creating difficult harvesting decisions. The producers who waited for the perfect moment - including Massolino - made wines of haunting elegance and aromatic complexity. This Riserva, released after extended ageing in large Slavonian oak casks, has settled into a magnificent middle age: dried roses, tar, white pepper, sandalwood, and a profound mineral depth on the nose. The palate is supple and long, with the tannins now softened beautifully and the acidity providing a laser-like freshness on the finish. This is drinking superbly right now and will continue to evolve for another decade or two. At $560, it is exceptional value for a Riserva of this pedigree.
How to Serve Barolo
Barolo demands respect at the table. Decant for a minimum of two to three hours before serving, particularly for wines under ten years of age. Serve at 17–18°C in a large Burgundy-style glass. At the table, the traditional pairings of Piedmont - braised beef, wild boar ragu, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, truffle - are classics for good reason. But Barolo is also revelatory with slow-roasted lamb, duck confit, or even a hearty mushroom pasta.
Discover Piedmont at Steves Winestore
Our Piedmont selection at Steves extends beyond Barolo to include a range of wines from across the region. Whether you are a seasoned Nebbiolo devotee or approaching these wines for the first time, our team loves talking Italian wine and is always happy to guide you.
Come and visit us at 30 The Avenue, Nedlands, or explore our full collection online.
We also offer expert packaging and delivery across Perth and beyond - making Steves your trusted destination for fine wine in Western Australia.
