Ornellaia

The vines for Masseto are on a 6.63 hectare vineyard site belonging to Tenuta dell'Ornellaia. Situated at an altitude of 120m, the soil consists of sand, gravel and clay. It ensures that the precipitation does not seep through but is stored. Bolgheri often suffers from drought in summer. Masseto 2015 wanders impressively between power and elegance. It presents a balance and just the right amount of integration to promise a long and healthy future. It is densely woven, has a beautiful texture and creaminess that makes it sheerly seductive. Aromas of dark cherries and spices that are superbly in harmony. A rich Merlot, downright lush - without ever seeming wasteful. SUPERIORE.DE

"There are not many purely varietal Merlots of this class in the world, although it should not be forgotten that the Masseto is characterised by a Mediterranean climate. It is softer, juicier, sweeter than the wines from Pomerol, which grow in the Atlantic-continental climate and have a different style. The 2015 could go down in the annals of Masseto: a dark, crazy complex wine, still in barrel and masked by toasty, toasty notes. The summer of 2015 was dry and hot, while September was cool, so this Masseto has a great tension and a vibrant freshness. A very balanced wine with masses of sweet, concentrated tannin that has melded perfectly. 'Future legendary vintage' says Axel Heinz. He might be right." Dr Jens Priewe (weinkenner.de)

"Darkly spicy, extremely complex and interwoven with ethereal, toasty notes, it expresses this often encountered, typically mysterious and "dark side" of Masseto. In the mouth, it is multi-faceted and of finesse-rich elegance, with a silky, almost chocolate-like tannin structure on the one hand and its vital, almost energetic freshness on the other. A wine that already scores with great balance and amazing grip and gives the experienced taster a first glimpse into its wide-stretched ramifications. For this, I give the very rarely awarded maximum score in the sense of a potential score of 99-100." Weinwisser

"Shiny, rich ruby with violet glints. Very appealing, almost plump nose, full of ripe blackberries, some blueberries, plus nuances of dark chocolate, fine cedar wood. Gripping and full-bodied on the palate, lots of rich, densely meshed tannin, unfolds in fine layers, lots of ripe berry fruit, plus fine spicy components, salty and with great tension, a dream wine!" Falstaff

"Celebrated as one of Masseto's best vintages, warm and rich yet balanced, the 2015 does not disappoint. Dark crimson in the glass, it packs a punch with clove, face powder, a minty character and plummy fruit. The palate is stylish with graphite minerality, chocolate and sweet tobacco finely knitted with firm tannins of an outstanding weight on the mid-palate. A high-flying Masseto built to last." Decanter

"This red leads off with exquisite notes of vanilla and toast, framing black cherry, blackberry, cedar and iron flavors. Ripe and powerful, yet polished and silky, with dense tannins well-integrated into the structure. The fruit returns in the end, along with a licorice note. A superb young version, showing fine potential." Wine Spectator

"The 2015 Masseto is simply extraordinary. Soft, silky and seamless, the 2015 possesses remarkable balance and harmony from the very first taste. What surprises me most about the 2015 is how fresh and vibrant the flavors are. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, mint, and wild flowers are all beautifully lifted in this exquisitely perfumed, gracious Masseto. Despite the warm, drought conditions of the early summer, the 2015 is a wine of mid-weight structure, polish and restraint. In this tasting, it positively dazzles. I can't remember ever tasting a young Masseto with this much pure harmony. Other vintages have been super-impressive upon release. The 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2013 all come to mind. But the 2015 has a level of pure sensuality and allure none of those vintages had when young, with the possible exception of the 2004." VINOUS

"The aromas are profound here with a deep and vast character of black olives, cedar, chocolate and berries, as well as vanilla essence and light coffee. Flamboyant. Full-bodied, this powerful young Masseto is chewy, muscular and rich. Dusty tannins, yet wonderfully polished. A wine for the cellar." James Suckling

"The release of this wine comes at a very happy time for the Masseto brand. The stunning 2015 Masseto is hitting the market just as the final touches are being made to the new Masseto winery. I'm told that Masseto might one day see other wines made under that same roof, so we can't exclude a future enlargement of the Masseto portfolio. The Masseto vineyard now covers seven hectares (divided into three plots), and the vines range from 30 to 40 years old. The wine is absolutely teeming with sensorial spirit that is transmitted through the bounty of the bouquet and the solid tannins of the mouthfeel. Nothing about the wine goes unnoticed or unchecked. Its many working pieces fit together with precision like a well-oiled machine. The 2015 vintage is characterized by a level of sheer exuberance that also defined the 2004 and 2007 vintages. Yet, it also reveals similar power, directness and linearity that we saw in the 2010 vintage. The 2015 Masseto takes the best of all those past vintages and confines those qualities to this single, spectacular bottle." Wine Advocate

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So much verve and purity, integration and harmony can be found in the Masseto 2021. Black raspberry, mulberry, a hint of toasted brioche. A beautiful natural sweetness, plus a delicacy and subtlety that is simply beautiful and tantalising. Black biros ink and more and more cedar wood with gentle aeration. Creamy. Essences of petals - with a little more lilac, lily and hyacinth than rose. Then graphite again. A wonderful texture on the finish, as soft and caressing as a million layers (milles feuilles plus!) of silk, but actually with a deeper and richer texture - so more cashmere perhaps than silk. Lively, flowing, dynamic and incredibly juicy. Radiant in its incredible dynamism and energy. Very special and above all endless on the finish. Wow! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, intense ruby colour with violet shimmer. Very appealing and rich nose of cassis, blackberry, dark tobacco and graphite. Dense, very concentrated tannins, builds up powerfully, lots of dark berry fruit, savoury and with great length on the final." Falstaff

"Probably the flagship of the Merlot grape variety in Italy: with a harmonious bouquet of mulberries, herbal notes, including rosemary, the wood perfectly integrated; powerful on the palate and yet elegant, powdery, fine-grained tannins, beautiful progression towards flavours of dark berries, undergrowth and chocolate. Despite the fullness of this vintage, it also has a great deal of finesse." Vinum

"The Masseto 2021 is once again 100% Merlot. The last vintages contained a tiny proportion of Cabernet Franc. It is a very rich and elaborate wine with corresponding extract, firm tannins and a high alcohol content of 15.5%. The wine smells of confit blackberries and cooked cherries, with a broad palette of sweet oak spices to finish. There is dark chocolate with a thin layer of creamy mint flavour. Given this richness and generous fruit weight, the Masseto is quite a commitment in terms of price and further cellaring. Further bottle ageing is an absolute must." Wine Advocate

"Blueberries and black olives with violets and hints of sage and rosemary flowers. Full and powerful with lots of fruit and vanilla on the palate. A rich and flavourful red wine that is nevertheless beautifully held together. Muscular and powerful. Needs five or six years to develop. Give it time." James Suckling

"After a mild and wet winter, the spring was dry and the summer was characterised by above-average temperatures and periods of drought. Fortunately, the vines were able to be quenched by the water reserves built up at the beginning of the year. The Masseto 2021 really has it all: a vertical shape and savoury character, juicy fruit, a fresh profile and finesse of tannins. Mediterranean herbs accompany ripe, dark fruit aromas and flavours that have yet to develop their full depth and charm." Decanter

"Plum and blackberry flavours are wrapped in an embrace of toasted oak, with vanilla, resin and iron accents. Dense tannins coat the gums, while bright acidity keeps this wine focused and drives the savoury aftertaste. This fluid and long, silky red wine impresses with its finesse. A great success in a great vintage." Wine Spectator

"The Masseto 2021 is a real eye-catcher. It also shows how much the winery has developed in recent years. I was reminded of this recently when I drank the 2001, which is considered by many observers, including this one, to be one of the greatest wines ever made here. The 2021 represents a move towards a more refined style. It has less of the bombastic intensity and extraction that was once the norm here. The 2021 is an absolute delight. Crushed flowers, spices, blood orange and bright, red-coloured fruit adorn the palate. The harvestwill find a Masseto based more on linear energy than volume. The 2021 is quite simply the most exquisite, refined young Masseto I have ever tasted." Vinous