x
  • Country ranking ?

    145
  • Producer ranking ?

    29
  • Decanting time

    3h
  • When to drink

    now to 2035
  • Food Pairing

    Roast lamb served medium-rare to well-done

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

Masseto was born ‘almost by chance’ in 1986 when it was decided to vinify the Merlot from the Masseto vineyard alone as it ‘promised well’. This small, exceptional and legendary cru has soon become a collector’s item sold in auctions all over the world. The first vintage was called very simply ‘Merlot’ but, from 1987, it has taken on the name of its vineyard ‘Masseto’.

The Masseto vineyard is a unique place. Blessed with the generosity of a Mediterranean climate, this small vineyard enjoys breath-taking views, which stretch to the Tuscan coast, and a mosaic of different soils including an exceptional presence of grey clay. The gentle breezes coming off the sea during the war summer months, the intensity of the sunlight and the specificity of the unique soils, allow the vines to develop and ripen gradually and contribute to granting Masseto its enchanting combination of freshness and ripeness.

The wine is the synthesis of its singular 7 hectare vineyard formed of three types of soil. At the top of the hill, at around 120 metres above sea level, the loosest ground is made up of clay and sand with numerous pebbles and, this contributes to the elegant nature of the wine. In the sloping part of the vineyard (with about a 10% gradient), grey clay predominates and gives the wine its structural backbone. Lastly, the lower rows grow on less clayey soil which lends the wine its fullness, warmth and generosity.

The bunches, hand harvested in 15kg crates, were carefully sorted by hand on a double sorting table before and after destemming and then subjected to a gentle crushing. Six different lots were vinified separately. Fermentation took place in both steel and wood tanks, followed by 15-20 days maceration at a temperature between 25 and 30° C. Afterwards, malolactic fermentation took place in 100% new oak barrique, and the different lots were kept separate for the first 12 months of maturation. The wine was then blended and reintroduced into the barrels for another year, making a total of 24 months. After bottling, the wine was aged for an additional 12 months prior to release.

 

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia makes outstanding wines even in poor vintages - better than any other. In the capable hands of winemaker Thomas Duroux and consultant Michel Rolland, the estate continues its long-standing, stellar record of world-class wine production. Even the estate's "second" wines demonstrate high quality grape growing and flawless production methods. Located in Tuscany's tiny coastal DOC of Bolgheri, the estate was one of the first to plant vines in the area. With producers like Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, Antinori, Grattamacco, and Le Macchiole among others, Bolgheri is the hotbed of winemaking momentum in Toscana.

With the same name as the winery, a reference to the grove of flowering ash trees surrounding it, Ornellaia is the estate's principal wine. The 63 acres of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with small plantings of Cabernet Franc vines, lie on elevated parcels composed of clay, gravel, and loam soils. The clones of diverse origins yield a rich palette of nuances. All grapes are destemmed, gently pressed, and introduced into either wooden or stainless steel fermentation vessels. Maceration takes place over a period of 25-32 days at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, during which time the wine completes its alcoholic fermentation. The juice remains unblended until the wines have spent approximately one year in small French barriques. The final cuvee is assembled to evoke the vinous finess of the Cabernet highlighted by ripe, aromatic notes of Merlot in an elegant yet firm style balancing fruit, acidity, oak, and tannic backbone.

The estate's Le Volte is a blend of Tuscan Sangiovese with Bordeaux's Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that can be considered a "Young Ornellaia." They also produce Le Serre Nuove, the "second Ornellaia," and Masseto, one Bolgheri's greatest wines!

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Wine Information

The 2004 was a textbook vintage.
In terms of climate, during the winter there was sufficient rainfall, and the temperatures were never excessive, while the spring was sunny, with occasional brief thunderstorms. Budding took place between 30 March and 10 April. The flowering revealed great fertility on the part of the buds (due to the high temperatures of the previous year). The potentially high yields were kept in check, to achieve the desired quality levels, by repeated, extensive pruning of excess grape bunches.
The summer began with mild temperatures, followed by a sunny, very hot August. These ideal conditions allowed the Merlot of the Masseto vineyard to ripen evenly and uniformly.
During the harvest rains did not interfere with the ripening of the grapes; we therefore had time to determine the perfect moment to harvest each parcel of land.
For Masseto, the harvest began with the higher part of the vineyard on 13 September. The central and lower parts were harvested between the 17 and the 21 of the month.

Winemaker’s Notes

Resulting from a vintage during which Merlot ripened perfectly, Masseto 2004 displays great aromatic complexity, with the typical prune and black cherry aromas coupled with floral overtones and subtle oak. On the palate the richness of the ripe fruit is supported by a tightly woven, ample tannic structure and fresh acidity. The balance between opulence, power and elegance makes it a classic expression of its terroir, unique to both Bolgheri and Tuscany.
Tasted September 2011


Masseto – Tenuta dell´Ornellaia

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is situated on the Via Bolgherese in that triangle between the sea, the medieval hamlet of
Bolgheri and the town of Castagneto Carducci and, to get there, one travels up part of the historic ‘cypress
avenue’ celebrated by the poet Giosuè Carducci. The property comprises 97 hectares planted to Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Since the Tenuta dell’Ornellaia’s foundation in 1981, this beautiful and unspoiled area has become synonymous
with winemaking of the first order and has seen the birth of great labels such as: Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove
dell’Ornellaia, Masseto and Le Volte.

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia’s philosophy is ‘quality without compromise.’
Key elements of this unique terroir are its soil and climate. Man’s work is also an integral part of this search for
excellence and is expressed through: extraordinary care in the vineyards, during the harvest and in vinification,
in bottling and promoting the wines. Behind these famous labels is a team of experts from every winemaking
sector who interpret the principles of the estate as they were set out twenty years ago on a daily basis.
The vineyards
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia lies on the Tuscan coast, in the area just north of the Maremma between Leghorn and the
Island of Elba, and which, for more than twenty years, has been one of the most interesting in Italy for making
wine.

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia’s story began in 1981 when its founder, Marchese Lodovico Antinori, selected the plots of
land in Bolgheri, a still untamed area of the Tuscan Maremma, for planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
and Merlot. He considered these the vines most suited to benefiting from the area’s extraordinary and special
micro-climate.
In March 1999 the californian wine producer Robert Mondavi purchased minority shares in the Estate and
becomes owner in 2002, passing 50% of the shares to the Tuscan wine producing family Marchesi de’
Frescobaldi. In April 2005 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi take over total ownership.
The Team that leads the Tenuta autonomously, consistently takes its inspiration from the principles that helped
to build up the success of the estate and the fame of its products throughout the years. The past is something to
be treasured, but Tenuta dell’Ornellaia believes, above all, in the future and has proved this by entrusting its
fortunes to a brilliant, young, international team lead by Leonardo Raspini (agronomist and General Manager),
Alexandra Belson (Commercial Director) and Axel Heinz (Winemaker). They stand out because of their
enthusiasm, their ambition and their desire for innovation. Each considers quality as the norm in carrying forward
development both personally and as a team whilst their method of working together consistently includes active,
constructive, informative and relentless confrontation. As a result, each meeting and each conversation is both
an opportunity and the premise for helping the estate grow.

MASSETO
This wine was born ‘almost by chance’ in 1986 when it was decided to vinify the Merlot from the Masseto
vineyard alone as it ‘promised well’. This small, exceptional and legendary cru has soon become a collector’s
item sold in auctions all over the world. The first vintage was called very simply ‘Merlot’ but, from 1987, it has
taken on the name of its vineyard ‘Masseto’.
The wine is the synthesis of its singular 7 hectare vineyard formed of three types of soil. At the top of the hill, at
around 120 metres above sea level, the loosest ground is made up of clay and sand with numerous pebbles
and, this contributes to the elegant nature of the wine. In the sloping part of the vineyard (with about a 10%
gradient), grey clay predominates and gives the wine its structural backbone. Lastly, the lower rows grow on less
clayey soil which lends the wine its fullness, warmth and generosity.
Masseto is 100% Merlot and is aged in barriques for 24 months, followed by a further 12 months in the bottle. It
is then ready for release on to the market but still has a very long life ahead. The result is a wine with great
structure and longevity which, due to the selection made and philosophy behind it, is produced in very limited
quantities.





Soil: loose clay with sand and stones

Production area: 8 ha

Grape varieties: 100% Merlot

Average age of vines: 15 years

Harvest method: hand picked

Ageing: in barriques for 24 months, followed by a further 12 months in the bottle


Via Bolgherese, 191
57020 Bogheri (LI)
Italy

Tel. + 39 (0)565 71811
Fax + 39 (0)565 718230

www.ornellaia.com

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Tasting note

color

Medium, Ruby red and Dark

ending

Long, Spicy and Lingering

flavors

Blackcurrant, Spice, Coffee, Toasty, New-oak and Chocolate

nose

Intense, Complex, Ripe and Tempting

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity, High alcohol content, Concentrated, Well-Integrated, Well-structured, Youthful, Full-bodied, Ripe, Elegant, Harmonious, Medium-Dry and Silky tannins

Verdict

Intelligent and Fine

Written Notes

An intense, purplish ruby red colour. Extremely concentrated and stylish spicy nose, dominated by oak. Notes of ripe blackcurrant, fruitcake and coffee. Big and sophisticated structure comprised of medium acids, strong powdery ripe tannins and ripe berry. Long finish with undertones of spicy aromas, chocolate and coffee. Highly integrated alcohol in the mid-palate emphasised almost to the point of distraction at the close. All in all, an elegant vintage, with excellent tannic and acid structure. The current lack of intensive fruitiness means there is not a great deal of hope for long maturation potential. The wine's freshness does not do justice to the wine just yet, though. It will improve within a few years and reach its prime in an estimated ten years.
  • 90p
The 2004 Masseto was a sibling of the ’06, for sure. It was more floral with less stuffing, excellent but not on the level of the ’06. Coffee and blueberry were the dominant characteristics (94).
  • 94p

The 2004 Masseto, one of my personal favorites, is positively stellar. I have always adored the 2004 for its silky tannins, stunning aromatic presence and total finesse, all of which are on display today. Beautifully pure to the long finish and profoundly beautiful in every way, the 2004 has it all. It was a textbook vintage that only presented one real challenge, and that was moderating the naturally high yields that resulted from an unblocking of energy the vines had held in store from the previous year. Where producers moderated yields, the wines are often stunning, as is very much the case here. If forced to choose only one vintage of Masseto I could own or drink it would be the 2004.

  • 100p
Good looking normal size bottle. Colour is ruby red, brick red, and looking dark and medium. On the nose it is intense, youthful, complex, ripe and tempting. The taste is harmonious, focused, refined, and medium-dry, with silky tannins, and average in acidity, full-bodied, with concentrated, perfectly balanced, well-structured, well-integrated, complex structure and youthful. On the palate it is layered and has chocolate, toasty, spice, perfumed and blackcurrant flavours. The finish is long, spicy, lingering and vibrant. This wine is intelligent and fine. Perfectly stored bottles are still very worthy and will last well for another 10-15 years and decant at least over 4h before tasting.
- (Tasting note created by Tb's AI)
  • 94p
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Information

Origin

Bolgheri, Tuscany

Vintage Quality

Above Average

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

Below Average

Fake factory

None

Other wines from this producer

La Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia

Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia

Le Volte dell'Ornellaia

Le Volte dell’Ornellaia

Massetino

Ornellaia

Ornellaia Bianco

Ornus dell’Ornellaia

Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia

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