Masseto
Masseto 2021
Bolgheri
Coveted by collectors and connoisseurs around the globe, Masseto has consistently received prestigious accolades since its founding in the early 1980s. It is the benchmark of a true fine wine, consistently demonstrating elegance, balance, and superb aging potential. The story begins with acclaimed Russian-American oenologist André Tchelistcheff, the estate’s first consultant, who suggested that the terroir of the Masseto hill would be particularly well-suited to Merlot. The name Masseto, in fact, comes from the hill’s unique gray and blue clay, which are hard as rock: “masso” means “rock” or “boulder” in Italian.
The Masseto team always dedicates themselves to the pursuit of excellence. The vineyard workers live with the vines, caring for them year round and deepening their profound knowledge of the mosaic of the Masseto vineyard.
Vineyard
At the top of the Masseto hill, at an elevation of about 120 meters above sea level, the soils consist of loose clays and sand with many pebbles, which bless the wine with a marked elegance. This is the area definined as “Masseto Alto.” “Masseto Centrale” is the central part of the Masseto vineyard, which determines the soul and backbone of Masseto. With slopes of a 10% gradient, the high proportion of Pliocene clays defines the character of this terroir, providing power, concentration and tannic support, and therefore great character, structure and longevity. Finally, the lowermost rows grow on less clayey soils, giving the wine its breadth, softness, and generosity. This final area is called “Masseto Junior.” Within each of these three zones there are smaller areas that ripen differently and therefore require to be harvested at different times. Such a complex mosaic will naturally reflect in the wine by displaying great complexity and revealing multi-faceted dimension.
Winemaking
Seven different lots are vinified during the harvest. The bunches, hand harvested in 15kg crates, are evaluated and selected by hand on a double sorting table before and after destemming and then subjected to soft crushing. Each single lot of the vineyard is vinified separately. Fermentation takes place in both steel and wood tanks, small portions of vineyards in barrel. Fermentation is followed by 15-20 days maceration at a temperature between 25 and 30° C. Afterwards, malolactic fermentation begins in 100% new oak barrique barrels, while keeping the various lots separate for the first 12 months of ripening. Subsequently, the wine is blended and reintroduced once again into the barrels for another year, for a total of 24 months. The aging process then continues in bottle for another 12 months before being released on the market.
Tasting Note
Color
Red
Blend %
100% Merlot
Appellation
Bolgheri
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$814.00
Reviews
Vinous - June 24, 2024 "The 2021 Masseto is a stunner. It also shows how much the estate has evolved in recent years. I was reminded of that recently when I drank the 2001, considered by many observers, including this one, to be one of the greatest wines ever made here. The 2021 represents a move towards a more refined style. is an absolute delight. Crushed flowers, spice, blood orange and bright, red-toned fruit all grace the palate. Floral aromatics and saline underpinnings are at times reminiscent of the Cabernet Franc found in the 2019 and 2020, but the 2021 is back to the classic 100% Merlot. Readers will find a Masseto built on linear energy more than volume. The 2021 is quite simply the most exquisite, refined young Masseto I have ever tasted."
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Massetino
Massetino is a wine crafted from the younger vines of Masseto, one of the finest Merlot plots on the planet. This wine is known for its crispness, vibrant color, and persistent bouquet. It's mostly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc, providing lift and complexity as the youthful tannins evolve on the palate. First released in the 2017 vintage, Massetino has quickly become one of Tuscany’s finest collectibles. Its primary fruit expression and evolving structure make it a standout addition to any cellar.
