2019 Masseto

The 2019 Masseto is the latest chapter in one of Italy’s most coveted cult wines, a seamless blend of power, polish and pedigree from the Tuscan coast. Traditionally a pure Merlot, this vintage marks a stylistic evolution with the addition of 10% Cabernet Franc, amplifying complexity without sacrificing Masseto’s signature silkiness. Bottled in tiny quantities and highly sought after worldwide, it has already earned near-perfect scores from leading critics, confirming its place among the great reds of modern Italy.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, 2019 Masseto is intensely concentrated and opaque, with a deep, dark ruby core that clings to the sides of the glass. The nose is generous and multi-layered: ripe blackberries and dark plum compote intertwine with redcurrant and raspberry, supported by notes of warm chocolate, sweet tobacco, violet, graphite, and a touch of exotic spice. Hints of crushed slate and pencil shavings add a refined mineral edge. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet wonderfully poised, offering a luxurious, velvety texture with ultra-fine, perfectly ripe tannins. Dense, dark fruit—blackberry, black cherry and plum—unfolds slowly, evolving into nuances of leather, cocoa, espresso, sweet pipe tobacco and subtle oak spice. Despite the concentration and extract, the wine remains lifted and energetic, with superb balance between fruit, acidity and structure. The finish is long, persistent and harmonious, leaving lingering impressions of dark fruit, spice and mineral notes. Already approachable with some air, this vintage has the structure and depth to evolve beautifully for 20+ years in a proper cellar, gaining further complexity and tertiary nuances over time.

Production
Masseto comes from a single, legendary vineyard on the Tuscan coast near Bolgheri, planted primarily to Merlot on distinctive blue clay soils that provide both excellent water retention and natural vigor control. The maritime climate, with warm days, cool nights and constant breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea, allows for slow, even ripening and remarkable aromatic complexity. Grapes are harvested by hand, parcel by parcel, with meticulous selection both in the vineyard and on sorting tables. Fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel and concrete, with each plot vinified separately to preserve its character, followed by a long maceration to extract color and fine tannins. The wine then ages in French oak barriques (a significant proportion new) in Masseto’s dedicated, state-of-the-art cellar, where blending and further élevage refine the final cuvée before bottling and extended bottle rest prior to release.

Food & Serving
2019 Masseto is an ideal partner for refined, richly flavored dishes such as dry-aged ribeye, lamb rack with herbs, slow-braised beef cheeks, or venison with a red wine reduction. It also shines alongside truffle risotto, porcini mushroom dishes, and mature hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or aged Pecorino. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both its aromatic complexity and silk-smooth texture. Decanting is strongly recommended—at least 2 hours before serving in its youth—to allow the wine to open fully and reveal its layers; older bottles will require a gentler, shorter decant primarily to remove any sediment.

Producer
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, founded in 1981 in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, has become one of Italy’s most prestigious and influential wine estates, credited with helping define the modern Super Tuscan movement. Masseto, originally conceived as a single-vineyard Merlot from a unique clay hillside, rapidly gained cult status for its combination of opulence, finesse and aging potential, placing it among the world’s most collectible wines. The estate’s relentless focus on low yields, meticulous vineyard management and precision winemaking has earned consistently high critical acclaim and cemented its position as a benchmark for luxury Italian reds, with Masseto standing as the jewel in Ornellaia’s crown.

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