Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia - Masseto 2014
In Bolgheri, on the Tuscan coast, Masseto has established itself as one of the most sought-after expressions of Merlot in Italy. Its vineyard is located on a hill characterized by powerful blue clays, capable of retaining moisture and playing a decisive role in climatically difficult years. This geological uniqueness gives the wine a particular depth, with dense matter but generally supported by remarkable freshness. The vineyard is divided into several sectors, each followed separately according to their exposure, soil structure, and ripening rhythm. The 2014 vintage was one of the most atypical in Masseto's recent history, with a cool and rainy summer that required particularly precise work in the vineyards. The estate's clays then played a protective role by limiting excess water and avoiding excessive dilution of the grapes. This context gives rise to a Masseto less sunny than 2011 or 2012, but particularly refined, tense, and nuanced.
Masseto 2014 is made exclusively from Merlot. The harvest, entirely manual, extended from September 5 to October 7, constituting at the time the latest and longest harvest ever carried out for this cuvée. Some plots required up to three passes to select only the bunches that had reached the desired level of maturity. Eight parcel lots were thus harvested and vinified separately, after a double manual sorting before and after destemming. Fermentations took place in steel and wooden vats, followed by macerations of fifteen to twenty days. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in new barrels, each lot remaining separate during the first twelve months of aging. After blending, the wine continued its refinement for an additional twelve months in barrels, totaling twenty-four months, before another year of rest in the bottle.
The color retains a beautiful garnet depth, with ruby nuances that gradually begin to reflect its evolution. The nose favors finesse, with red and black fruits, plum, sweet spices, and a delicately toasted touch. Aeration gradually reveals nuances of violet, cedar, cocoa, and undergrowth, giving the bouquet a complexity less opulent than in the warmer vintages. The palate is distinguished by a silky and very precise texture, supported by fine tannins and particularly lively acidity. The fruit retains brightness and gives the wine a sensation of length that perfectly balances its natural depth. The finish is long and refined, with ripe fruits, spices, graphite, and discreet balsamic nuances. Masseto 2014 will accompany a beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, roasted pigeon, rack of lamb, veal with morels, or cuisine centered around black truffle.
Grape variety: 100% Merlot
