Masseto 2019 IGT Toscana Masseto
CLIMATE AND VINTAGE
The year 2019 was characterised by a particularly variable climate, alternating periods of cold and rain with long dry and hot spells. After a rather normal winter, budding took place in the first week of April. The cold and rainy conditions throughout April and May considerably slowed down the development of the vegetation, delaying flowering by 10 days compared to usual. In June, the weather suddenly became torrid and dry with peaks of 37°C reached at the end of the month. Throughout the summer, the weather remained warm and sunny, with temperatures 2°C above average and 45 consecutive days without rain. In the last week of July, the long dry spell was interrupted by two days of rain, which restored the temperature to the seasonal norm, creating ideal conditions for ripening grapes. After another series of downpours at the beginning of the month, the Merlot harvest began on 5 September with the youngest vineyard and continued until 20 September in perfect conditions. The harvest was completed with the Cabernet Franc on 1 October.
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
The grapes, hand-picked in 15 kg crates, were sorted by hand on a double-sorting table before and after destemming, then underwent soft crushing. Fermentation took place in cement vats and small portions in barriques at temperatures between 25 and 30°C. Maceration times ranged from 21 to 28 days. Malolactic fermentation began in 100% new oak barrels, keeping the various batches separate for the first 12 months of ageing. Subsequently, the wines were blended and placed once again in barriques for another year, for a total of 24 months. As usual, Masseto 2019 was left to age for a further 12 months in bottle before being released on the market.
TASTING NOTES
Masseto 2019, harvested slightly later than usual, benefited from the sunny but mild weather at the beginning of September, which gave it a dense but harmonious expression. The young colour suggests a rich and intense wine, the nose shows textbook hints of ripe cherries, violets, liquorice and dark chocolate. The palate is broad and dense with velvety, refined tannins that envelop the palate, leaving a fresh, vibrant finish.
