Tenuta del Ornellaia, Masseto 2020

Masseto, an esteemed estate in Tuscany, Italy, is renowned for its exceptional Merlot-based wines. The 2020 vintage introduces a subtle addition of Cabernet Franc to the blend, enhancing its complexity while preserving the hallmark quality of Masseto. This vintage reflects the estate’s dedication to excellence and innovation, maintaining its status as one of Italy’s most prestigious and collectible wines.

The 2020 growing season presented challenges, including a warm and sunny climate. However, meticulous vineyard management and precise winemaking techniques have resulted in a wine of remarkable richness and density. The grapes underwent fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in carefully selected French oak barrels for 24 months, and an additional 12 months of bottle aging before release.

Appearance: Masseto 2020 displays a deep, almost opaque ruby-red colour, with intense garnet reflections at the rim, highlighting its depth and concentration. The core is richly saturated, exuding power and structure, while the wine’s brilliance in the glass showcases its purity. Swirling reveals slow-moving, pronounced legs that hint at the wine’s opulence, glycerol content, and finely structured tannins. The sheen and vibrancy of the colour suggest both youthful energy and exceptional aging potential.

Aroma: The nose is an enchanting bouquet of rich, ripe fruit, offering an abundance of blackberries, dark cherries, and plums. There’s an intriguing combination of floral notes, such as violets and roses, intermingled with hints of dried herbs and exotic spices. Subtle oak undertones add a touch of vanilla, cocoa, and sweet tobacco, while delicate earthy nuances of truffle and crushed graphite emerge, enhancing the wine’s aromatic complexity.

Taste: On the palate, Masseto 2020 is a masterpiece of balance and elegance. It boasts a full-bodied yet refined structure, with luscious dark fruit flavours of blackberry, cassis, and blackcurrant carrying through. The wine’s texture is velvety, and its tannins are finely integrated, providing both structure and a luxurious mouthfeel. Layers of complexity unfold, revealing notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and a touch of liquorice. A mineral streak runs through the mid-palate, adding a sense of freshness and depth, ensuring that the richness never overwhelms the wine’s finesse.

Finish: The finish is extraordinarily long, persistent, and harmonious, leaving an impression of both power and grace. Lingering dark fruit notes are complemented by refined touches of cedar, baking spices, and a subtle balsamic lift. As the flavours evolve, hints of graphite, dried violets, and a whisper of black truffle emerge, adding further depth to the aftertaste. The tannins remain polished yet firm, ensuring a seamless and elegant progression that continues to unfold long after the last sip. This vintage promises remarkable longevity, with its structure suggesting an evolution of even greater complexity over the next two decades.

Food Pairing: Masseto 2020 pairs beautifully with hearty dishes such as braised short ribs or slow-roasted lamb, where the wine’s structure and depth complement the richness of the meat. It also enhances aged cheeses like Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano-Reggiano, bringing out the umami and nutty characteristics of the cheese. A classic pairing with grilled Florentine steak allows the wine’s tannins to soften while accentuating its dark fruit and spice elements. For a more refined pairing, duck breast with a blackberry reduction would further highlight the wine’s intricate balance of fruit, acidity, and tannin.

This vintage exemplifies Masseto’s commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality, embodying the unique terroir of Tuscany. With its refined balance, depth, and structured elegance, Masseto 2020 offers both immediate pleasure and significant aging potential, standing as one of the finest expressions of Merlot in the world