Masseto 2019

The smoothness and elegance of an iconic Tuscan wine

The estate

In the early 1980s, the first vines were planted on the Masseto hill in soils poised on a Pliocene blue clay vein, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, near the famous small village of Bolgheri, in Tuscany. In this harsh environment, the Merlot varietal has found a way to flourish in a land considered more suitable to the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon. For almost 40 years now, Masseto’s wines have become true legends of Tuscan viticulture and a reference among fine Italian wines throughout the world.

The vineyard

The Masseto vineyard is located in Tuscany, in Bolgheri. This wine-growing area enjoys a Mediterranean climate that is strongly influenced by the presence of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The wine

The very name Masseto is a tribute to its roots and terroir, to the perfect marriage between power and suavity, a characteristic lent by the blue clay veins called "Masse" that form in the vineyard and give the estate its name. Produced for the first time in 1984, this wine swiftly became one of the most sought-after wines in the world after being elected "Wine of the Year" in 1997 by Decanter. Regarded as the Italian Petrus by some, each new release of this Tuscan wine is an eagerly anticipated and celebrated event.

The 2019 vintage

2019 is marked by a spring whose coolness and humidity, especially during the months of April and May, slowed down the vegetative development of the vineyard. Flowering took place ten days later than average. The hot and dry summer conditions were punctuated by rainy spells that were beneficial to the vineyard. The harvest began on September 5th and was carried out later than in other years in order to optimise the ripeness of the grapes and develop their aromatic expression.

Vinification and ageing

The hand-picked grapes are sorted twice before and after destemming and then gently crushed. Fermentation is carried out in concrete vats or in barrels depending on the parcels. Maceration for 21 to 28 days. Malolactic fermentation started in new oak barrels. Separate maturation by batch for the first 12 months before final blending and then an additional 12 months of ageing in barrels, bringing the total maturation in barrels to 24 months. After bottling, the wine is aged for a further 12 months before being released.

The blend

Merlot (100%).

Masseto 2019: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

The colour has a beautiful intensity.

Nose

The nose reveals a rich aromatic palette. Floral (violet) and fruity (ripe cherries) fragrances blend harmoniously with notes of liquorice and dark chocolate.

Palate

The ample and dense mouth seduces with its velvety tannins, its finesse and its refreshing finish.