2021 Masseto Massetino

Masseto’s sought-after second wine, 2021 Masseto Massetino, offers a remarkably refined glimpse into one of Tuscany’s most coveted Merlot-driven expressions. Crafted primarily from Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc, it delivers impressive concentration, polish, and depth while remaining more approachable in its youth than the grand vin. Born alongside Masseto’s state-of-the-art new winery and released via the exclusive Place de Bordeaux, Massetino has quickly established itself as a modern icon in its own right.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Massetino is deep, intense ruby with a youthful, almost inky core that clings to the sides of the glass, hinting at its richness and structure. The nose is opulent yet composed, offering layers of ripe black cherry, plum and wild berries, interwoven with notes of violet, graphite, fine cedar, cocoa, and a subtle touch of sweet spice and tobacco from carefully selected oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and richly textured, with a velvety, almost creamy mouthfeel that slowly fans out across the palate. Dark fruit—black cherry, blackberry and damson—melds with hints of mocha, licorice, and savory herbs, while the Cabernet Franc component adds lift, freshness and a refined, slightly spicy edge. The tannins are firm but polished, providing a solid backbone without sacrificing elegance. A vibrant line of acidity keeps the wine lively and focused, leading to a long, layered finish. While already seductive in its youth, the concentration and structure of the 2021 suggest excellent aging potential, easily 10–15 years or more in a good cellar, where it will develop further complexity and tertiary nuances.

Production
Sourced from the clay-rich slopes of the celebrated Masseto hill in coastal Tuscany, Massetino reflects a unique terroir where heavy blue clays, cooling sea breezes and ample sunlight combine to produce Merlot of exceptional character and depth. Grapes are harvested by hand, parcel by parcel, at optimal ripeness to ensure strict selection of only the finest fruit. In the winery, the lots are vinified separately, with gentle extraction and precise temperature control to preserve aromatics and texture. The wine then matures in carefully chosen French oak barrels—largely barriques—with a proportion of new oak to provide structure and complexity without overshadowing the purity of the fruit. The final blend, dominated by Merlot with a carefully judged addition of Cabernet Franc, is assembled after élevage to achieve the signature Masseto balance of richness, finesse and length.

Food & Serving
2021 Massetino is a natural partner for refined, richly flavored dishes such as roast lamb with herbs, Tuscan bistecca alla fiorentina, slow-braised beef, veal with truffle, or game birds like pigeon or duck. It also pairs beautifully with mature hard cheeses, mushroom-based dishes, and deeply flavored risottos. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and supple texture. Decanting for 1–2 hours in its youth is recommended to allow the wine to open fully, soften the tannins, and reveal its many layered nuances.

Producer
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, located near Bolgheri on Tuscany’s picturesque coast, is one of Italy’s most renowned estates and a pioneer of the modern “Super Tuscan” movement. Established in the 1980s, the estate quickly rose to international fame with Ornellaia and, later, with Masseto—its small-production, single-vineyard Merlot that has become one of the world’s most collectible wines. Masseto’s new dedicated winery, built to honor the singular terroir of the Masseto hill, marked a fresh chapter in the estate’s history and provided the ideal home for the creation of Massetino, the second wine of Masseto. Distributed exclusively via the prestigious Place de Bordeaux and consistently earning top critical acclaim, Masseto and Massetino have cemented Tenuta dell’Ornellaia’s status as a benchmark producer for luxurious, world-class Tuscan reds.

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