Massetino

Massetino, the second vin of Masseto. In the early 1980s the first vines were planted on the west facing clay rich soils of the Masseto hillside. Geological studies had sug gested that this might be a special site and the battles between the celebrated oenologist André Tchelistcheff and the founder to plant Merlot instead of the safer choice of Cabernet Sauvignon are legendary. From the very first harvest the unique personality of the wines from this vineyard planted along a vein of Plyocene blue clay were clear for all to see (and taste). More than 30 years have passed since those initial steps.

Winemaker notes

The high quality potential perceived when tasting the grapes before harvesting is reflected in the qualitative expression of Massetino 2021. A wine characterised by integrity, crispness and brilliant colours. The aromas are immediately memorable for their persistence and fullness. Vibrant, young and evolving tannins keep the palate alive with tenacity. Massetino 2021 is as powerful as the vintage in which it was born.

2021

Wine Advocate 96: The Masseto 2021 Massetino is mostly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc for good measure. The wine (packaged in a heavy glass bottle) is very richly concentrated and layered. You see (and taste) the opulent texture of the wine as it slowly coats the glass. Quality fruit is matched by carefully selected oak, and the intensity of both builds on the palate. This vintage is poised for especially long cellar aging. This vintage of Massetino (2021) scores neck-in-neck with the current vintage (2020) of Masseto.

James Suckling 96: Sweet berries with violet and rose aromas. Raspberries. So perfumed. Medium-bodied with very fine velvety tannins that run the length of the wine. Vibrant at the end. Second wine of Masseto. Best ever. Drink in 2027 but already a joy to taste.

Vinous 94: The 2021 Massetino is a supremely elegant and gracious wine. Silky tannins caress a core of blackberry, espresso, mocha, licorice, cloves and lavender. All the elements are so nicely balanced in this super-appealing, racy second wine from Masseto.

Decanter 93: Dried herbs and dried flowers on the nose with quite dominant oaky scents. Ripe black fruit and abundant tannins, not so rich or fleshy but massy in the mouth, wide, giving a large structure which supports the expression. This is smooth and bright with grip and intensity but you can really feel the alcohol here and it detracts from any kind of delicate nuance with toasted spices, coffee, dark chocolate and cedar at the fore. Heady and overt, powerful, though sleek and layered, the tannins are great and the fruit feels both cool and ripe but there's an underlying sense of heat from start to finish. Malolactic fermentation in French barriques (50% new) then 12 months ageing after which the 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc was blended and returned to barriques for three months before bottling. Winemaker Gaia Cinnirella.