Wine Advisor
Masseto, Masseto 1992
View analysis
Description
To open a bottle, is to unleash a liquid kaleidoscope. A rare combination of sumptuous opulence and polished elegance. As a tribute to its rugged force, its softness, and the debt it owes to the soil from which it rises, Masseto was named after the rock-hard clusters of blue clay called ‘massi’ that form on the vineyard’s surface.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1992 Masseto is a revelation. I am amazed by the sheer integrity and purity of the fruit in this explosive Masseto. The wine turns a bit more delicate in the glass, with elements of brightness that balance some of the more extroverted qualities. I especially admire the dramatic, sweeping finish. Simply put, this is a stunning wine. Bolgheri escaped the big rains that compromised the harvest throughout the rest of Tuscany. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The single vineyard, 100% barrel-fermented Merlot, Masseto, is stunning in both the 1992 and 1993 vintages. 1992 was not an easy vintage in Tuscany, but the 1992 Masseto possesses a saturated ruby/purple color, as well as a big, sweet nose of vanillin, jammy black and red fruits, and spice. Fleshy, open-knit, expansively rich and layered, this is an intriguing, luscious wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 7-8 years. The Marchese Lodovico Antinori makes these luxuriously fruity, rich wines from his vineyards in Bolgheri, an area not far from the famed Sassicaia. With the help of Bordeaux's brilliant oenologist, Michel Rolland, these wines seem to be going from strength to strength. Importer: Kobrand Corp., New York, NY; tel. (212) 490-9300
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1992 Masseto is a revelation. I am amazed by the sheer integrity and purity of the fruit in this explosive Masseto. The wine turns a bit more delicate in the glass, with elements of brightness that balance some of the more extroverted qualities. I especially admire the dramatic, sweeping finish. Simply put, this is a stunning wine. Bolgheri escaped the big rains that compromised the harvest throughout the rest of Tuscany.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1992 is an attractive, early Masseto from a challenging year that benefits from the magnum format. There is good depth for a wine of its age, if not quite the finesse the estate would find later. Sweet red cherry, red plum, raspberry and floral notes give the 1992 a real feeling of brightness that is hugely appealing. Harvest took place between September 5 and 12, on the earlier side, but it was a year with some disease pressure.
About the Producer
For 700 years the Frescobaldi family has combined tradition, experience and innovation with creativity and the pursuit of excellence. The family has always looked to develop and celebrate the diversity of Tuscany’s terroir, being proud owners of some of the greatest vineyards in this region. The Masseto hill is a special place, both a revelation and a mystery. This is where terroir victoriously transcends the grape varieties and where the blue clays of the Pliocene Era tell their ancient story. Millions of years ago a deep marine substrate was deposited which transformed gradually into blue clay that came to the surface on this hill after thousands of years of erosion. The shells and fossils found imbedded in the clays are testimony to this. With a heart as hard as stone and yet with an intriguing fragility, the clay knows just how to adjust to its environment & climate. This contrast is reflected in the intense power and silky elegance to be found in Masseto.
Package Size
