Tasting Notes: The 2021 Masseto is a wine of incredible refinement and depth, delivering a complex array of aromas including crushed flowers, spice, blood orange, dark cherry, blackberry, and graphite mineral notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied and powerful yet displays great finesse and balance, with a plush, silky texture that coats the mouth. Flavors of dark fruit mingle with hints of vanilla, cocoa, and savory Mediterranean herbs, all supported by a vibrant structure that drives a long, persistent finish. This vintage is noted for its linear energy and overall elegance, a stunning expression of pure Merlot built for extensive cellaring.
Estate History: Masseto's story began in the early 1980s when Lodovico Antinori founded the Ornellaia estate in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany. A key moment came when the acclaimed Russian-American oenologist André Tchelistcheff identified a specific hillside plot with a unique composition of blue and grey clay soil, which he believed was perfectly suited for the Merlot grape. This visionary decision went against local tradition, which favored other varietals, but led to the first vintage of the 100% Merlot Masseto in 1986, which was immediately acclaimed. Originally vinified at the Ornellaia facility, Masseto has been owned by the Frescobaldi family since 2005, and in 2019, it officially moved into its own dedicated, state-of-the-art underground winery, solidifying its status as an independent iconic label.
