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  • Country ranking ?

    68
  • Producer ranking ?

    15
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    2020-2035

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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...

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Wine Information

Climate and Harvest 1997

The start of Spring saw above average temperatures which resulted in an early budding of the vines.
The vegetative cycle slowed down somewhat following an unexpected frost in mid April and subsequent rainful until the end of the month.
From May onwards, the weather became very warm and dry and the Summer months were particularly hot, reaching above average temperatures. The grapes ripened earlier than usual and ha...

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Tasting note

color

Light and Ruby red

ending

Long

flavors

Blackcurrant, Mineral, Herbs, Vanilla, New-oak and Smoky

nose

Intense

recommend

Yes

taste

Balanced, Well-structured, Complex, Full-bodied, Harmonious, Rich and Ripe

Written Notes

Masseto is a pure Merlot wine produced by Tenuta dell’Ornellaia since 1986. It is often referred to as the “Pétrus of Italy”. In 1997 an early spring encouraged an early bud break but a frost in mid-April and rains in the end of the month did bode well for the vintage. However, May then brought very warm and dry weather to Bolgheri. Summer was hot and the harvest took place in ideal conditions between 25 August and the first week of September. Due to the dry and hot weather grapes remained small with thick skins. Thus the crop was very limited but high in quality. Probably one of the finest Massetos. Opaque ruby-purple colour. Powerful and intense nose with loads of blackcurrants and vanilla, new oak, fresh herbs, black olive, chocolate and pine needles. Well-balanced, heavy-bodied structure with intense ripe dark fruit displaying refined firmness. The very classy, long, mineral finish is delicately rich and quite harmonious. The wine still has still very good potential for further ageing.
  • 95p

The 1997 Masseto is another very beautiful and expressive wine in this flight. Hints of cedar, sweet spice, tobacco and smoke are all suggestive of a wine that is hitting its plateau of maturity. The 1997 has enough depth to drink well for another decade or more. Today, it is especially silky and expressive, not to mention supremely delicious. Nineteen ninety-seven was a warm, early-ripening year marked by a frost in April and lower-than-normal yields.

  • 96p
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Information

Origin

Bolgheri, Tuscany

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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