Masseto
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically peaks between 10 to 30 years from the vintage, though exceptional vintages can easily cellar for several decades.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, classic Tuscan wild boar ragù (cinghiale), or dry-aged Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Masseto is one of the world's most legendary 'Super Tuscans,' a magnificent 100% Merlot born from a singular, magical hill in Bolgheri, Tuscany. Its story began in the 1980s when the legendary enologist André Tchelistcheff recognized the extraordinary potential of a patch of pliocene blue clay soil, defying local advice to plant Merlot instead of Cabernet. This unique terroir, reminiscent of Pomerol but bathed in the warm Mediterranean sun, imparts an unparalleled combination of power, opulence, and mineral refinement. Fermented in concrete and oak, and aged for up to 24 months in new French oak barrels followed by extensive bottle aging, Masseto is celebrated for its complex layers of dark fruit, spice, truffle, and velvety tannins. It stands as a monument to Italian winemaking, blending Tuscan soul with Bordeaux-style sophistication.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori in the coastal region of Bolgheri, Tuscany, Ornellaia has established itself as one of the world's most prestigious wine estates, now under the stewardship of the historic Frescobaldi family. The estate's unique terroir, defined by its proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea and a complex mosaic of marine, alluvial, and volcanic soils, provides the perfect conditions for crafting exceptional Bordeaux-style blends. Ornellaia's uncompromising philosophy centers on meticulous hand-harvesting, parcel-by-parcel vinification, and patient aging in French oak barriques to express the elegance and complexity of each vintage. Renowned for its legendary flagship Bolgheri Superiore, the estate also produces highly acclaimed expressions like Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia, the vibrant Le Volte dell'Ornellaia, and the refined white Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia.