Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia - Masseto 2016
In Bolgheri, on the Tuscan coast, Masseto represents one of the most unique interpretations of Merlot in Italy. The vineyard occupies a small hill characterized by its blue clays, a rare geological formation that plays a crucial role in the wine's identity. These deep soils retain moisture and allow the vine to maintain a regular balance during hot periods, while promoting slow and complete ripening of the grapes. The estate distinguishes several sectors within the vineyard, each monitored separately according to its soil structure, exposure, and ripening rhythm. This parcel-based approach gives the wine great precision and allows the combination of power, freshness, and depth in a final blend made from a single grape variety. The 2016 vintage benefits from a particularly balanced season, marked by regular ripening and favorable conditions for preserving freshness. Masseto 2016 thus combines natural concentration, tannic finesse, and aromatic definition in a particularly harmonious register.
Masseto 2016 is made exclusively from Merlot. The different parcels are harvested and vinified separately to preserve their personality until the blending stage. The grape selection is particularly rigorous and aims to retain only berries that have reached full maturity without losing their freshness. Fermentations are conducted with precision to gradually extract color and tannins while avoiding any excessive harshness. The aging lasts about twenty-four months in barrels, with the different lots kept separate during the first year before being blended and then refined together. An additional period in the bottle then allows the wine to gain cohesion before its release. The 2016 vintage has a particularly complete structure, with remarkable depth but also tension that gives it considerable aging potential.
The color shows a very deep garnet hue, almost opaque at the core, with still intense ruby reflections. The nose combines blackberry, blackcurrant, black plum, and cherry with nuances of violet, licorice, and cocoa. With aeration, cedar, fine tobacco, sweet spices, and a balsamic dimension gradually appear, bringing a lot of freshness to the bouquet. The palate is ample and dense, but the texture remains remarkably precise thanks to fine and perfectly defined tannins. The richness of the Merlot is accompanied by a mineral tension that stretches the wine and avoids any sensation of heaviness. The finish is very long, between black fruits, bitter chocolate, graphite, spices, and balsamic notes, with a depth still largely oriented towards the future. Masseto 2016 will accompany a beef filet with porcini mushrooms, roasted pigeon, a rack of lamb, feathered game, or refined cuisine around black truffle.
Grape variety: 100% Merlot
