La Massa : Giorgio Primo 2018

A refined and complex Tuscan red wine by La Massa

The estate

La Massa, a wine estate since 1400, was acquired in 1992 by Gian Paolo Motta, who was passionate about the finest Bordeaux wines. Gian Paolo Motta was eager to make this estate an essential reference point among fine Italian wines. Located in Panzano, near the Conca d'Oro, La Massa produces IGT Toscana wines that are renowned for their quality and great finesse.

The vineyard

Situated at an altitude of 350-420 metres, La Massa looks after a 27-hectare vineyard. The estate's uniqueness lies in its patchwork of terroirs spread over three geological levels, including chalky-clay, marly with a scaly fracture (galestro) and clay soils.

The wine

Made from a rigorous selection of the best grapes in the vineyard, this Toscana Giorgio Primo by La Massa is one of the finest Tuscan wines.

The vintage

A winter with seasonal temperatures preceded a spring marked by a particularly hot April followed by a very rainy month of May. Although budburst was a little late, the vegetative cycle was even. The rainfall in June gave way to a hot July with significant temperature variations between day and night that favoured the vineyard’s development. A few rainy spells in mid-August led to a smooth veraison period. September and October displayed ideal weather conditions that refined the grapes ripeness levels until the harvest.

Vinification and ageing

Particular attention has been paid to this 2018 vintage regarding the search for an ever more precise extraction method and the choice of containers for the ageing period. The wine benefits from a 16-month ageing period in French oak barrels (55% of which are new) during which sensory and analytical tests are carried out before evaluating the wine's evolution. This constant quest for excellence and quality results in a wine whose rare elegance and finesse authentically express the terroir and philosophy of the estate.

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (55%)

Merlot (40%)

Petit Verdot (5%).

La Massa's Toscana Giorgio Primo 2018: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

Bright, beautiful ruby red colour.

Nose

The nose combines elegant floral (violet) and fruity (wild berries, cherry) fragrances with spicy notes.

Palate

Powerful and structured, the palate is seduced by this wine’s power, concentration and fine tannins. The finish is persistent, revealing a rich aromatic palette that exhibits delicious aromas of black fruits, crème de cassis, spices, new leather, chocolate and sweet spices.