Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia - Masseto 2021
Masseto is one of the most famous Super Tuscan wines, made entirely from Merlot by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia . Ornellaia is located in the Bolgheri appellation, in Tuscany , Italy . The company was founded in 1981 by Marquis Lodovico Antinori. From 2002 to 2005 the estate was co-owned by Robert Mondavi and Marchesi De Frescobaldi, but since 2005 Frescobaldi has had exclusive ownership. In Ornellaia, the concept of environmental sustainability, understood as the use of the natural fertility of the soil, can be identified in various practices and limited measures implemented in the vineyards, with the aim of promoting the biodiversity of cultivated species. The director of the Masseto estate is Axel Heinz .
In the winery, minimal intervention is the watchword. The extraordinarily concentrated grapes do not require sophisticated vinification but simple operations. Gentle infusion rather than aggressive extraction, to help express richness without heaviness or roughness. Everything in the The winery was designed for this purpose - a gentle transfer of grapes without any pumps, taking advantage of the natural flow by gravity, and tanks designed to promote efficient maceration without the need for aggressive extraction. The aging of wines is carried out in small French oak barrels . Masseto easily tolerates new oak and finds its perfect balance after 24 months of aging , but if these parameters have become the norm, the team has not refrained from shortening the stay in barrel or to reduce the quantity of new barrel when the vintage required it.
Grape variety: 100% Merlot