When we talk about Ornellaia, we’re talking about wine, history, tradition and passion. Founded in 1981 by the Marchese Lodovico Antinori, the winery subsequently became part of the Frescobaldi group, which has been a leader in quality Italian oenology for over 700 years. In a plot of the same name, situated in a small and wild part of Tuscany, there is an estate that’s perfect for Bordeaux blends. Tenuta Masseto is a magical place, surrounded by woods and influenced by the sea breeze on hot summer days. The land is blessed by the presence of a deep marine substrate which gradually created blue clay. This is reflected in the intense power and silky elegance found in Masseto wines. The Masseto cellar is the very symbol of this winery, as its wall of enormous rocks marks the boundary of the estate. Designed by architects Hiraku and Zito, the building expresses and reinforces Masseto's concrete and powerful identity. We try to minimise intervention in the estate as much as possible. The goal is to precisely capture the true spirit of nature and manifest it to its highest level. The extraordinary vineyard uses tanks and barrels with a gravity-flow winemaking system. The bunches, harvested by hand in 15 kg crates, are manually selected on a double sorting table before and after destemming, and then subjected to a light pressing. Fermentation takes place in cement tanks, while barriques are used for smaller vineyard sections, at a constant temperature between 25° and 30° C. The maceration times vary from 21 to 28 days. The malolactic fermentation begins in 100% new oak barriques, keeping the various lots separate for the first 12 months of ageing. Subsequently, the wines are blended and placed into barriques for another year, with a total of 24 months of ageing. Usually, the Masseto is left to age for another 12 months in the bottle before being released to market. The wine boasts a dense and harmonious aromatic expression, with a fresh, young colour, which suggests a rich and intense wine. On the nose there are hints of ripe cherries, violets, liquorice and dark chocolate. The palate is broad and dense, with velvety and refined tannins that envelop the palate, leaving a fresh and vibrant finish. It is a great wine that achieves even greater expressiveness if left to age for a longer time. A perfect wine for sipping leisurely.
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