2021 Masseto - A 100 Point Masterpiece

 

Masseto, one of Italy’s – and the world’s – most revered wines is always fiercely fought over on release. We rarely get the chance to show it widely as the amounts available are tiny and always tightly allocated. This year, however, our Buyers have performed a miracle, meaning that we have a small amount that we can offer today. The 2021 vintage of Masseto is a stunning wine. Rated at 100 points by the influential Antonio Galloni, this is a monumental Masseto in the making. With allocations of Masseto on release some of the most sought-after on the market, this perfect new iteration is one of the trophy buys of the year.   A world-class Merlot that rivals the very best reds on the planet, Masseto needs no introduction. It is always a magnificent wine and an equally compelling buy, but even in this context, the 2021 stands out. Galloni loves it, calling it “a stunning Masseto that will take its place among the greatest wines ever made here” and he advises his readers “Don’t miss it!”   Also available is the excellent and very rare second wine of the estate, Massetino. A blend made of up of 90% Merlot (the grape for which Masseto is famed) and 10% Cabernet Franc, Massetino is a magnificent wine in its own right. As James Button for Decanter says, “Massetino is considered the second wine of Masseto, but I’m beginning to come to the conclusion that it’s far more than that” and has “more verticality than Masseto 2021 and just as much concentration”.   Do take a look and if you’d like to secure any, please contact your account manager or reply to this email at your earliest as stocks are very limited.   2021 Masseto £1,550 per case (3*75cl OWC) in bond – Limited Stocks £520 per bottle (1*75cl OWC) in bond – Limited Stocks 100 points Antonio Galloni Winemaker Gaia Cinnirella and her team turned out a stunning Masseto that will take its place among the greatest wines ever made here. There’s a new feeling of elegance in Masseto that is palpable. The tannin profile and integration of new oak, in particular, show noticeable strides in a direction that values finesse more than power alone. The new, dedicated cellar, with its custom-designed tanks and high humidity, surely plays a role, but ultimately, a wine reflects the vision of its winemaker more than anything else. The 2021 Masseto is absolutely brilliant. Don’t miss it! (2024) www.vinous.com Drink 2027-2051     2022 Massetino £495 per case (3*75cl OWC) in bond – Limited Stocks 97 points Decanter Massetino is considered the second wine of Masseto, but I’m beginning to come to the conclusion that it’s far more than that. It represents around one-third of the production of Masseto, and judging by the quality of this 2022, next year’s release of the grand vin could be absolutely phenomenal. Massetino has always incorporated a portion 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. Bright and stony, there’s so much energy here. Zingy and sapid, it combines fresh Mediterranean herbs and poised fruit, with more verticality than Masseto 2021 and just as much concentration. Incredible precision and beautiful freshness, especially considering the vintage. (2024) www.decanter.com Offered subject to final confirmation. Available in the UK in 2025.