Masseto 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of Masseto 2023

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a deep ruby colour with violet highlights, reflecting its great youth and vibrancy.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of blackberries and ripe cherries. It is then enriched with hints of black pepper, sweet tobacco and an elegant touch of graphite.

Palate
On the palate, the structure is both elegant and assured, carried by young, silky tannins. The acidity brings a lovely freshness that enhances a deep, vibrant fruit, leading to a harmonious and particularly enveloping finish.

Food and wine pairing
This great red wine pairs beautifully with roasted or braised noble meats, such as a fine cut of aged beef, veal chop or confit milk-fed lamb. It also goes very well with game served with rich reductions, as well as aged hard cheeses such as mature Parmesan or Tuscan pecorino.

The refinement and balance of a great Tuscan merlot

The estate
Established in 1987 in the heart of Tuscany, on the Bolgheri coast, Masseto has become a world reference. Born from the intuition to plant merlot on a hillside of blue clay, this exceptional cuvée was originally part of the Ornellaia estate before becoming independent. Now the exclusive property of the Frescobaldi family, the estate cultivates its unique identity across a vineyard of around seven hectares. Renowned for its rarity and prestige, this wine embodies Italian excellence, combining power and refinement in the purest spirit of the world's great crus.

The vineyard
Located on the Tyrrhenian coast within IGT Toscana, the vineyard covers around seven hectares at an altitude of between 100 and 110 metres. The vines, averaging twenty to thirty years old, benefit from a gentle slope facing the sea and an exceptional terroir of Pliocene blue clay marls, interspersed with gravel and sand. Farmed organically since 2012, the estate encourages biodiversity through cover crops planted between the rows. Viticulture here is meticulous and entirely manual, with a planting density of around 4,000 vines per hectare to control the vigour of the vines.

The vintage
The year began with a mild winter, encouraging early vine growth. The particularly rainy spring helped replenish water reserves in the clay soils, requiring careful canopy management. Summer proved hot, with temperatures around 35°C, though without extreme heatwaves. Thanks to the spring water reserves, ripening progressed slowly and evenly. Finally, rainfall in late August combined with cool September nights ensured optimal concentration while preserving a lovely acidity.

Winemaking and ageing
The grapes destined for Masseto 2023 are hand-harvested in small 15-kilo crates. After gentle destemming and pressing, the berries are transferred to concrete tanks by gravity. Each parcel is vinified separately. Fermentation begins naturally with indigenous yeasts, at temperatures maintained between 25 and 28°C. Pumping-over and rack-and-return are carried out throughout this stage, followed by a maceration period of 21 to 28 days depending on the batch. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in new oak barrels. The wines are aged separately for one year, then blended before returning to barrel for a further twelve months, for a total of 24 months of oak ageing. A year of bottle rest completes the process before release.

Grape variety
100% Merlot