Masseto 2022

Tasting Note Masseto 2022

Aromas of red cherries and plums dominate, with red fruit notes more prominent than black fruit, and a hint of umami lingering behind the fruit. The small, concentrated berry aromas impart depth rather than sheer weight, and the alcohol content feels lower than expected given the hot summer conditions. The tannins are well-ripened but exhibit a firm texture. The acidity infuses vitality right up until the finish of the Masseto 2022, and it is precisely in this finish that the freshness of this vintage shines through. While it's enjoyable to drink now after some aeration, it will become even more interesting with time.

Grape Varieties

The blend is as follows: 100% Merlot

Merlot is a variety susceptible to drought, and the 2022 growing season in Bolgheri was dry. Thanks to the moisture-retaining clay soil, the 2022 Masseto grapes stayed in a very good condition, resulting in flavors reminiscent of plums and cherries rather than raisins.

Cellaring Potential

Although fully ripe, the 2022 Masseto has plenty of aging potential thanks to its firm tannins and low yield. It is best enjoyed between 2026 and 2050. At this stage, decant the wine into a carafe for about an hour before serving it at 16-18°C. Over time, the intensity of the tannins will soften, and the plum aromas will evolve into notes of fig and truffle.

About Masseto

Blue and grey clay on a low hill a few kilometres from the sea, that is what sets Masseto apart from its Bolgheri neighbours, where sandy and gravelly soils dominate. Lodovico Antinori planted Merlot there in 1983, on ground others considered too heavy for vines. First vintage: 1986. The wine is almost always 100% Merlot, occasionally with a very small amount of Cabernet Franc, which is unusual in a region built on Sangiovese and blends. Around 7 hectares in all. Since 2005 the Frescobaldi family has managed the estate directly, and in 2019 a gravity-driven winery was built into the hillside next to the vineyard. Inside sits the Masseto Caveau, which holds a bottle of every vintage since 1986, each in its own cradle. And the name comes from masso, Italian for boulder.

Terroir & Climate

Within Bolgheri, there is a vineyard spanning approximately 7 hectares on a gentle hillside a few kilometers from the coast. The neighboring vineyards are situated on sand and gravel. Masseto, however, sits on blue and gray clay that hardens like rock when dry, and it is precisely this water-retention capacity that is key. Thanks to this, the vines endure Tuscan summers without stress. Ripening proceeds slowly. A gentle breeze from the sea tempers the afternoon heat, and Masseto's concentrated flavors stem precisely from this combination.

Winemaking

Since each plot within the Masseto vineyard has distinct characteristics, the team conducts fermentation in two different ways depending on the grapes' specific traits. Beyond that, there is almost no artificial intervention. Since 2019, this wine has been transported through a winery carved into the hillside, where gravity, rather than pumps, is used, ensuring a very gentle handling process.

Malolactic fermentation takes place in barriques made from 100 percent new French oak. Individual batches are stored separately for the first 12 months, after which they are blended and returned to the barriques for a further year, resulting in a total ageing period of 24 months. After bottling, the wine is aged for a further 12 months before being released for sale.

The wine that ends up in the glass is influenced more by the vineyard's soil and the climate of that particular year than by the winery itself.

Food Pairing

Bistecca alla Fiorentina, or grilled T-bone beef, has sufficiently charred fat to stand up to the tannins of Masseto. Brasato di manzo al vino rosso also pairs well for the same reason. The slowly braised beef harmonizes perfectly with the wine's deep flavors. Pappardelle with wild boar ragù adds an extra layer of umami. And if the meal were to end here, aged Pecorino cheese would provide the perfect finishing touch.