Wine Advisor
Masseto, Masseto 2008
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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 2008 Masseto is stylistically closer to the 2006. An irregular crop set lowered yields while the warm, dry summer concentrated its efforts on the smaller crop. Cooler temperatures towards the middle of September lengthened the cycle and allowed for the full development of aromatics and phenolic ripeness. The 2008 is a gorgeous, dense Masseto endowed with massive fruit and tons of structure. The only missing element is a degree of finesse, but that may develop in bottle. For now, the 2008 is a wine to bury in the deepest corner of the cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2008 Masseto comes across as relatively reserved and along the lines of vintages like 1988 that age beautifully but aren’t the blockbuster type wines usually associated with Maremma. Freshly cut flowers, crushed rocks, spices and black cherries are some of the aromas and flavors that emerge from the 2008. This is an exceptionally beautiful Masseto that impresses for its elegance. The wine fleshes out nicely in the glass, while retaining its refined personality. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. This is another strong set of wines from Tenuta dell’Ornellaia. The 2008 Ornellaia is back to its usual high level after a slightly perplexing 2007, while the 2008 Masseto is another in a fine line of vintages for this Tuscan icon. Readers should be on the lookout for a complete vertical of Masseto, back to the inaugural 1986 Il Merlot dell’Ornellaia, which will be posted on www.erobertparker.com in the coming weeks. Needless to say, it was an amazing tasting. Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2008 Masseto is another huge wine. It boasts tons of energy in a tense, inward style I can only describe as implosive, as if the wine is holding back all of its energy. A deep core of black fruit, grilled herbs, licorice and new leather emerges from time to time, but the tannins are still imposing. There is no shortage of pedigree. I fully expect the 2008 to develop into one of the great Massetos. Needless to say, it will be interesting to taste the 2008 in vertical tastings in the future. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033. The 2009 vintage was not easy at Tenuta dell’Ornellaia because of the scorching hot summer. Readers may want to take a look at my video interview with Axel Heinz for more on the 2009 vintage. Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2008 Masseto has never been an easy wine. When it was first released, it was so hard and unyielding. Time has helped the 2008 soften a bit. Even so, it remains a wine of contrasts, of a very obvious push and pull that seems to mirror a growing season marked by alternating periods of warm weather and far cooler conditions. Graphite, smoke, tar and licorice, along with broad tannins, give the 2008 a real feeling of masculine power, qualities that are accentuated in the magnum format.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2008 Masseto is another huge wine. It boasts tons of energy in a tense, inward style I can only describe as implosive, as if the wine is holding back all of its energy. A deep core of black fruit, grilled herbs, licorice and new leather emerges from time to time, but the tannins are still imposing. There is no shortage of pedigree. I fully expect the 2008 to develop into one of the great Massetos. Needless to say, it will be interesting to taste the 2008 in vertical tastings in the future.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The evening started with the 2008 Masseto, a wine that only continues to improve in bottle. The 2008 has always had structure to burn, but over the last year the fruit has begun to emerge, making for a vibrant, powerful Masseto built for the cellar.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2008 Masseto is stylistically closer to the 2006. An irregular set lowered yields while the warm, dry summer concentrated its efforts on the smaller crop. Cooler temperatures towards the middle of September lengthened the maturation cycle and allowed for the full development of aromatics and phenolic ripeness. The 2008 is a gorgeous, dense Masseto endowed with massive fruit and tons of structure. The only missing element is a degree of finesse, but that may develop in bottle. For now, the 2008 is a wine to bury in the deepest corner of the cellar.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2008 Masseto is stylistically closer to the 2006. An irregular set lowered yields while the warm, dry summer concentrated its efforts on the smaller crop. Cooler temperatures towards the middle of September lengthened the maturation cycle and allowed for the full development of aromatics and phenolic ripeness. The 2008 is a gorgeous, dense Masseto endowed with massive fruit and tons of structure. The only missing element is a degree of finesse, but that may develop in bottle. For now, the 2008 is a wine to bury in the deepest corner of the cellar.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Opulent and complex, with dark fruits such as plums and blackberries. Milk chocolate. Dried herbs too. Black olives. Stunning nose. Full bodied, with firm and chewy tannins, but a very creamy texture, and lots of milk chocolate, berry and mineral character. It goes on for minutes. Clear and powerful. Savory and salty. One of the best Massetos ever.
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.
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