Description
The inaugural vintage of Massetino was 2017, released in 2019, precisely 30 years after the first vintage of Masseto. The birth of the second wine and the opening of Masseto winery during the same year, were both seminal moments in Masseto history. Just like its elder sibling it juxtaposes power and opulence with discretion and classicism. It represents around one-third of the production of Masseto, and judging by the quality of this 2022, the release of the grand vin could be absolutely phenomenal. Massetino has always incorporated a portion of Cabernet Franc since its first vintage, 2017 – 10% in 2022. A cool and dry spring led to a slightly late budbreak, followed by 75 days of drought and high temperatures. Summer storms eventually came along to restore balance, and the cool September evenings were perfect for the grapes reach full ripeness. Each parcel was vinified separately and spontaneously in concrete tanks before undergoing malolactic fermentation in barriques, 50% new. After 12 months, the final blend was made and the wine spent a further three months in concrete before bottling.
Tasting Note:
A solid, crisp wine with a bright colour, very distinctive, vertical and elevated, intense and expressively aromatic. On the nose, the essence of hyacinth, saffron, wild rosemary, mulberry and a hint of lavender. Juicy on the palate, but with a frame that emphasises the feeling of density and compactness. Vertically layered, but with great depth, tapering downwards to a distant vanishing point. After a silky attack, the present tannins take hold as the wine progresses. Long and pure, very persistent.
