Tenuta dell´Ornellaia - Massetino 2021

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The Masseto 2020 and the Massetino 2021 bring to mind the Duomo of Florence and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica—both magnificent, imposing and equally beautiful. And if the Masseto is more architecturally sophisticated, the Massetino seems to do more with less. The Cabernet Franc works like an ice plunge after a hot sauna, tempering the almost terrifying intensity of the Merlot. A work of art, in any case. Gorgeous now, better in 2031."

WEINWISSER: "Mit dem Cabernet Franc im Blend gewinnt der Massetino mehr und mehr an Charakter und begeistert als 2021er auf extrem hohem Niveau. Der Massetino 2021 besteht aus 90 % Merlot und 10 % Cabernet Franc mit 15.5 Vol.-%, die aromatisch jedoch kaum in Erscheinung treten. Nach 12 Monaten sortenreinem Ausbau in 50 % neuen Barriques wurde die Assemblage erstellt und ein weiterer Ausbau von 3 Monaten absolviert. Dunkle, viskose Farbe. Dicht, süß und offensiv, zeigt sich der Duft des Massetino sehr frisch und geschliffen, vielschichtig und klar. Dabei wirkt er keineswegs üppig, sondern vielmehr extrem fokussiert, mit feiner Frucht und ausgezeichneter Tiefe. Satt, süß und viskos dann der Auftritt im Mund, reif und verdichtet, mit viel Schmelz und Fülle. Seine grandiose, jugendliche Struktur beinhaltet feinstes Holz und einen großartigen Feinschliff, ganz linear, druckvoll und salzig lang. Im feinen Nachhall wirken die mächtigen Gerbstoffe ganz leicht aufgeraut. Großartiger Zweitwein, von dem bedauerlicherweise nur wenig produziert wird. Noch etwas besser als der 2020er!"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The Masseto 2021 Massetino is mostly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc for good measure. The wine (packaged in a heavy glass bottle) is very richly concentrated and layered. You see (and taste) the opulent texture of the wine as it slowly coats the glass. Quality fruit is matched by carefully selected oak, and the intensity of both builds on the palate. This vintage is poised for especially long cellar aging. This vintage of Massetino (2021) scores neck-in-neck with the current vintage (2020) of Masseto."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Sweet berries with violet and rose aromas. Raspberries. So perfumed. Medium-bodied with very fine velvety tannins that run the length of the wine. Vibrant at the end. Second wine of Masseto. Best ever. Drink in 2027 but already a joy to taste."

JEB DUNNUCK: "A deep but transparent red color, the 2021 Massetino is harmonious and pure with aromas of polished leather, red apple, Amarena cherry, violets, and fresh rosemary. It’s penetrating on the palate, with outstanding freshness within this full-bodied red, offering ripe tannins, refreshing acidity, and very nice structure. It boasts a beautiful and clean mineral flourish on the very long and even finish, with a hint of warmth and cocoa on the back palate. It is fabulous already without anything sticking out and captures the warmth of the vintage with a graceful approach, while its liqueur-like fruit lasts for ages on the finish. A fantastic vintage for this wine, drink 2025-2045."

FALSTAFF: "Sattes, tiefdunkles Rubin mit feinem Violettschimmer. Dunkle und dichte Nase, zeigt ansprechende Noten nach Zedernholz, Brombeeren und dunklen Zwetschgen. Fest und stoffig in Ansatz und Verlauf, zeigt ausgeprägte Noten nach Tabak, Brombeere und braune Butter, griffiges, zupackendes Tannin, im Finale noch recht rau."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2021 Massetino, 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, it explodes from the glass with bombastic notes of stewed black plums, boysenberries, and blackberry pie, followed by hints of Indian spices, licorice, and fragrant soil. The big, concentrated, full-bodied palate is jam packed with black fruit preserves, framed by velvety tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and spicy."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Elegant and vibrant, this red flows nicely, building to a long, spice-tinged aftertaste. Boasts blackberry, black currant, violet, cocoa, mineral and fresh herb flavors that ply its length, while lively acidity and powdery tannins provide structure. Focused and approachable now, yet will be better in a year or two. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2033."

DECANTER: "Dried herbs and dried flowers on the nose with quite dominant oaky scents. Ripe black fruit and abundant tannins, not so rich or fleshy but massy in the mouth, wide, giving a large structure which supports the expression. This is smooth and bright with grip and intensity but you can really feel the alcohol here and it detracts from any kind of delicate nuance with toasted spices, coffee, dark chocolate and cedar at the fore. Heady and overt, powerful, though sleek and layered, the tannins are great and the fruit feels both cool and ripe but there's an underlying sense of heat from start to finish. Malolactic fermentation in French barriques (50% new) then 12 months ageing after which the 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc was blended and returned to barriques for three months before bottling. Winemaker Gaia Cinnirella."