2021 Masseto

Masseto 2021 is the latest release of Tuscany’s most sought‑after Merlot, a true cult wine that has helped redefine what Italian reds can be. This vintage is celebrated for its combination of power and finesse, shifting toward a more refined, sculpted style without sacrificing depth or complexity. With a perfect 100/100 score from leading critics, it stands out as one of the greatest Masseto vintages ever bottled, offering collectors and enthusiasts a rare chance to experience Merlot at its most polished and expressive.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Masseto 2021 shows a deep, vibrant ruby core with a youthful purple rim, signaling both concentration and long life ahead. The nose opens with pure, luxurious red and dark fruit—plum, cherry compote and wild berries—layered with notes of blood orange zest, crushed violets, and subtle Mediterranean herbs. With air, more complex tones emerge: fine dark chocolate, warm spice, a hint of graphite and a delicate saline lift. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet incredibly silky, gliding across the tongue with perfectly ripe, ultra-fine tannins. Ripe red fruit—especially plum and raspberry—meets hints of black cherry, cocoa, sweet tobacco and exotic spice, framed by beautifully integrated new French oak. The balance between richness, freshness and structure is impeccable, with a long, lingering finish that fans out in waves of red fruit, mineral tones and gentle spice. While already seductive in its youth, Masseto 2021 has the structure and concentration to age gracefully for 20–30 years or more under proper cellaring, gaining further complexity and nuance over time.

Production
Masseto comes from a single, legendary hillside vineyard on the Tuscan coast, not far from Bolgheri, where marine clay soils, excellent drainage and moderating sea breezes create an ideal environment for Merlot. The unique blue clay subsoils lend the wine its signature combination of density, perfume and mineral tension, while warm days and cool nights ensure slow, even ripening. Grapes are harvested by hand in small, carefully selected parcels, with rigorous sorting in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only the finest berries are used. Vinification is carried out plot by plot, allowing each micro-terroir to express itself before blending. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vessels, followed by a long maceration to extract color, aroma and fine tannins. The 2021 Masseto is 100% Merlot and was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barriques, with meticulous élevage to refine texture and seamlessly integrate the oak’s influence.

Food & Serving
Masseto 2021 is a natural partner for refined, richly flavored dishes such as roasted lamb with herbs, slow-braised beef, veal tenderloin, truffle risotto, or game birds with wild mushroom sauces. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano, and simple preparations that allow the wine to shine—such as grilled prime steak or roasted root vegetables with olive oil and rosemary. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to best showcase its aromatics and balance. Given its youth and concentration, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended in the near term to allow the bouquet to open fully and the tannins to soften, especially if enjoyed within the first 10 years after release.

Producer
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, one of the icons of coastal Tuscany, was founded in the 1980s and quickly rose to international prominence for its Bordeaux-inspired blends and meticulous attention to detail. Masseto, originally a single parcel within the estate, became its own legend—a wine that proved Merlot could achieve First Growth–level stature in the clay-rich hills above Bolgheri. Over the years, the estate has earned a reputation as one of Italy’s most prestigious producers, consistently receiving top scores and recognition from the world’s leading critics. Today, Masseto is produced in its own dedicated winery and is distributed exclusively via the historic Place de Bordeaux, underlining its status among the world’s most collectible and highly regarded wines.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.