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  • Country ranking ?

    150
  • Producer ranking ?

    33
  • Decanting time

    4h
  • When to drink

    now to 2040

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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

 In the cellar the Director of Production and winemaker Axel Heinz guides the technical staff in all phases of vinification, capturing the desired components of each lot to feature in the signature Merlot wine. Once the vinification is determined, time is then called upon to make its contribution: Masseto is aged for 12 months in barriques; after this first period of ageing the wine is then blended and returned to barriques for an additional y...

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

11 tasting notes

Tasting note

color

Medium

nose

Refined

Written Notes

The 2008 Masseto has never been an easy wine. When it was first released, it was so hard and unyielding. Time has helped the 2008 soften a bit. Even so, it remains a wine of contrasts, of a very obvious push and pull that seems to mirror a growing season marked by alternating periods of warm weather and far cooler conditions. Graphite, smoke, tar and licorice, along with broad tannins, give the 2008 a real feeling of masculine power, qualities that are accentuated in the magnum format.

  • 97p
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Information

Origin

Bolgheri, Tuscany

Other wines from this producer

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Ornellaia Bianco

Ornus dell’Ornellaia

Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia

Inside Information

Wine Advocate #201
Jun 2012
Antonio Galloni 97+ Drink: 2018 - 2033 $622-$994 (500)
The 2008 Masseto is another huge wine. It boasts tons of energy in a tense, inward style I can only describe as implosive, as if the wine is holding back all of its energy. A deep core of black fruit, grilled herbs, licorice and new leather emerges from time to time, but the tannins are still imposing. There is no shortage of pedigree. I fully expect the 2008 to develop into one of the great Massetos. Needless to say, it will be interesting to taste the 2008 in vertical tastings in the future. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.

The 2009 vintage was not easy at Tenuta dell’Ornellaia because of the scorching hot summer. Readers may want to take a look at my video interview with Axel Heinz for more on the 2009 vintage.
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