Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia - Masseto 2011
In Bolgheri, on the Tuscan coast, Masseto holds a unique place among the great contemporary Italian wines. This cuvée comes from a vineyard of about seven hectares, located on a hill whose soils rich in blue clays are one of the determining elements of its identity. Merlot finds here a singular environment, capable of producing grapes of great maturity while maintaining a deep structure and sufficient freshness for a long evolution. Long associated with Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Masseto has gradually established itself as a wine in its own right, made with an extremely rigorous selection of the different vineyard areas. Each plot has a specific personality depending on its proportion of clay, exposure, and position on the slope. This diversity allows the construction of a wine where the natural richness of merlot is accompanied by remarkable tannic depth. The 2011 vintage, warm and sunny, expresses this identity in a particularly generous register, without losing the precision that characterizes the great years of Masseto.
Masseto 2011 is made exclusively from merlot. The different parts of the vineyard are harvested separately to respect their maturation rhythms and preserve the personality of each lot until the final blend. The vintage was marked by warm conditions favoring significant concentration, with rich berries and a particularly intense aromatic expression. The vinification favors precise extraction to accompany this natural power without hardening the structure. Aging in French oak barrels then allows the tannins to gradually refine and integrate the fruit's richness with spicier and balsamic nuances. After more than a decade in bottle, the 2011 begins to reveal additional complexity while retaining still impressive substance. Its density, balance, and quality of its tannic framework still give it considerable aging potential.
The color retains a very deep garnet hue, with a dense core and still strong ruby reflections. The nose unfolds blackberry, black plum, and ripe cherry, accompanied by violet, licorice, and cocoa. Aeration gradually brings tobacco, spices, cedar, and truffle notes, mixed with a mineral and slightly balsamic dimension. The palate is ample and enveloping, but the fruit's richness remains structured by fine and perfectly drawn tannins. The merlot here shows itself both fleshy and deep, with a velvety texture that never sacrifices tension. The finish is very long, on black fruits, bitter chocolate, spices, and an earthy touch that gains complexity over time. Masseto 2011 will accompany a filet of beef with porcini mushrooms, roasted pigeon, a rack of lamb, game birds, or refined cuisine around black truffle.
Grape variety: 100% Merlot
