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Masseto : Masseto 2023
Toscana - Red Wine -Masseto 2023 is one of the world's great Merlots and an icon of Tuscan fine wine. Produced in Bolgheri on a hillside overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, it owes its distinctive identity to an extraordinary seam of Pliocene blue clay. First produced in 1986, Masseto is now renowned for its singular combination of power, silky texture and elegance. The 2023 is a particularly energetic and refined expression, less monumental than some vintages but remarkable for its suppleness and length.
Masseto 2023: tasting notes
Colour: deep, intense ruby with violet highlights.
Nose: complex and profound, combining plum, cassis, blackberry and dark cherry with balsamic, floral and mineral nuances. Graphite, liquorice and clove develop towards cocoa, sweet tobacco, Mediterranean herbs and a subtle saline note.
Palate: broad without feeling heavy, opening with remarkable suppleness and a silky texture. Dark and red fruits are supported by vibrant acidity and a structured tannic frame. Graphite, cocoa, spice and tobacco lead into a deep, persistent finish.
A unique Merlot from Bolgheri's blue clay
Masseto 2023 is 100% Merlot. The vineyard occupies a hillside facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, crossed by a remarkable seam of blue clay formed from an ancient Pliocene seabed. This deep clay retains water while naturally placing the vines under controlled stress. Maritime influence moderates ripening and helps preserve acidity. The contrast between the power of the soil and the freshness of the sea lies at the heart of Masseto's identity.
The 2023 vintage
2023 demanded meticulous vineyard work. A mild winter encouraged an early start to the growing season before abundant spring rainfall replenished water reserves. These proved valuable during a hot summer, with temperatures around 35°C but without extreme peaks. Late-August rainfall and cool September nights slowed the final stages of ripening, preserved acidity and encouraged greater aromatic complexity.
Winemaking and maturation
Individual vineyard parcels are harvested and vinified separately to preserve their identities before the final blend is assembled. Following fermentation and maceration, Masseto 2023 was matured for 24 months in French oak barriques. The different lots remain separate during the first year before blending and further maturation. This extended élevage builds depth and texture in a naturally concentrated Merlot designed to continue developing for many years in bottle.
Critic scores
Masseto 2023 received 99/100 from Jeb Dunnuck, 98/100 from James Suckling and Jane Anson, together with 97/100 from Wine Spectator. Critics particularly highlight its silky texture, freshness, precision and ability to combine opulence with restraint.
Food pairing, serving and cellaring
Serve Masseto 2023 at around 16-18°C with dry-aged rib of beef, veal with porcini mushrooms, roast lamb, game or truffle-based dishes. When young, allow around two hours of decanting. Jeb Dunnuck gives a drinking window of 2028-2050; the wine's concentration and balance suggest that well-stored bottles may develop for even longer.
12bouteilles recommendation
The 2023 is not the most massive expression of Masseto, and that is precisely part of its appeal. It emphasises suppleness, freshness and energy while retaining the depth expected from Masseto's great Merlot. Already seductive in texture, it nevertheless deserves several years in bottle for its oak and tannins to become fully integrated.
Most
Reviews
Wine Spectator
97
J. Suckling
98
€830.00
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Product Details
Masseto : Masseto 2023
Country:
Italy
Area:
Toscana
Producer:
Masseto
Vintage:
2023
Varietals:
100% Merlot
Dress:
intense and deep ruby red
Bouquet:
notes of black fruits, aromas of blackberries, and blackcurrants with balsamic notes of fresh mint and myrtle
Palate:
ich and full; soft, velvety and vibrant tannins give a long finish and a lingering aftertaste
In cellar:
Up to 10 years
Food & Wine:
Poultry
Serving:
Open 1hour before tasting
Temperature:
16°C-18°C
FAQ – Masseto 2023
Why is Masseto considered one of the world's great Merlots?
Masseto combines a single grape variety, Merlot, with an exceptionally distinctive Bolgheri terroir: a hillside crossed by a seam of Pliocene blue clay and directly influenced by the Tyrrhenian Sea. Since its first vintage in 1986, its ability to combine concentration, silky texture and very long ageing potential has established it among the world's most collectible Merlot-based wines.
What is the difference between Masseto and Massetino?
Masseto is the estate's Grand Vin, made entirely from Merlot in 2023 and built for long-term development. Massetino is the second wine, combining Merlot with Cabernet Franc. It undergoes shorter maturation and aims for greater freshness and earlier accessibility. Massetino therefore provides a more immediate introduction to the estate, while Masseto represents its most ambitious selection.
Is Masseto the Italian equivalent of Petrus?
The comparison is frequently made because both rank among the world's most prestigious expressions of Merlot and both are strongly influenced by clay soils. There are nevertheless fundamental differences: Petrus expresses the Pomerol plateau in Bordeaux, while Masseto is defined by Bolgheri's blue clay and Mediterranean maritime influence. Masseto is therefore better understood as a distinctly Tuscan interpretation of great Merlot rather than an imitation of Petrus.
What is the difference between Masseto and Ornellaia?
The two wines originated within the same Bolgheri environment but now have clearly distinct identities. Masseto is a 100% Merlot from its own specific hillside. Ornellaia is a blend of several Bordeaux grape varieties grown across different estate terroirs. Masseto therefore focuses on the expression of a single grape and site, whereas Ornellaia is fundamentally shaped by the art of blending.
Masseto 2023 or Massetino 2024: which should you choose?
Choose Masseto 2023 for the Grand Vin, greater depth and ageing potential measured in decades. Choose Massetino 2024 for a fresher, more agile and earlier-drinking interpretation of the Masseto terroir. The two wines share the same origin but differ significantly in selection and stylistic ambition.
Should Masseto 2023 be drunk now or cellared?
The wine already has an appealingly silky texture, but it remains extremely young. Jeb Dunnuck gives a drinking window of 2028-2050, while Wine Spectator suggests that it should improve with approximately another five years in bottle. For a bottle purchased today, we would clearly favour cellaring; if opened young, allow at least two hours of decanting.
masseto
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Masseto : Masseto 2023
Conditionnement:
Case of 1 bottle (75cl)
Quantity
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Available in
- Case of 1 bottle (75cl)
- 830.00€ / bottle