Winery: Masseto

Country / Region: Italy / Tuscany - Toscana

Date Winery was established: 1981

Grape Variety: Merlot

First Vintage Released: 1989

Alcohol Content / Volume: 14.5% / 750ml

Ratings: 95 pts James Suckling / 98 pts Wine Spectator / 96 pts Robert Parker

Decanting Time: Decant only for 30 minutes to less than 1 hour. Decant only to remove sediments (wines at this age and high quality will tend to have sediments form in the bottle. This is completely normal and a sign of the wine's age and quality. Another way to avoid sediments going in the glass is to rest the bottle vertically for at least 1 hour so that the sediments settle at the bottom and pour gently or pour using a fine strainer.). Serve at 16 - 18°C

Our suggestion for decanting time is based on bottles we tried at Txanton in 2020. We guarantee that Txanton stocks are imported and maintained in proper storage within the correct temperature and humidity suitable for wine.

Good To Know: Arguably the most famous and exceptional "Super Tuscan" that is made entirely of Merlot, Masseto is renowned for its aromatic complexity, opulent fruit and well integrated tannic structure, as well as consistently being regarded as one of the top wines in the world by both collectors and critics alike.

The Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 1999 is an epic release from the famed winery. Distinctly Mediterranean on the nose with notes of coastal herbs and powerfully ripe red fruit notes that have matured into delectable dried berry aromas coupled by nuances of raspberry jam, cedarwood and baking spice. The palate is remains opulent and youthful with well integrated oak nuances of vanilla, cacao and licorice. The finish reveals incredible tension and finesse, filled with lingering notes of smoke and dried cherries aloft seductively integrated, velvety tannins.

First released by the famous Tenuta dell' Ornellaia in 1984, Masseto garnered immediate fame and accord. Today, production totals around a highly limited, 35,000 bottles a year. Similar to Ornellaia, Masseto has been owned by the Frescobaldis since 2005 with Michel Rolland as its current lead consultant following the death of Tchelistcheff in 1994.