At 19 years from vintage, expect concentrated dark cherry, plum, blackcurrant, leather, tobacco, dark chocolate, and integrated oak with structured but softening tannins. The 2006 Tuscan vintage was excellent and Masseto's 2006 has aged into a balanced window.
- Varietal
- Merlot (100%)
- Region
- Italy / Tuscany / Bolgheri
- Body
- Full
- Style
- dry red, opulent, structured, age-worthy, iconic, luxury tier
The producer
Masseto is one of Italy's most prestigious wines — a 100% Merlot grown on a small clay-rich hillside parcel within the Ornellaia estate. First produced in 1986, it became known as "Italy's Pétrus" for its single-varietal Merlot character on clay soils. Masseto became its own separate estate (Masseto Estate) in 2012, though older vintages including the 2006 are labeled as Estate Bottled by Ornellaia.
What critics say
Masseto consistently receives scores in the high-90s from major critics and is one of the most prestigious and collectible Italian wines. The wine trades at significant premiums in the secondary market.
Pairing
Slow-roasted lamb, herb-crusted rack of lamb, aged hard cheeses