Wine Advisor
Masseto, Masseto 2013
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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: Monica Larner
The 2013 Masseto paints a glorious picture of Tuscany. It captures an inspired moment in time and walks an impressive tightrope between power and elegance. In my preview tasting last year, I noticed the firm textural richness of the 2013 vintage and the crystalline sharpness of its aromas. Thanks to 12 additional months of bottle aging, that impression is evermore constant and concrete. The focus is there, yet the wine has also fleshed out and put on more velvety definition especially in terms of mouthfeel. It wears its pedigree with pride, but most importantly it offers the balance and integration to promise a long and healthy aging future. The 2013 vintage follows closely on the heels of the impeccable 2006 and 2010 vintages in terms of cellaring potential. This is definitely a bottle that should interest collectors.
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Tasted from barrel, the 2013 Masseto is shaping up to be a super star. This edition of the wine is already more muscular and tight compared to the warm vintage expression in 2011 and 2012. This Masseto instead is linear and balanced with pretty fruit tones that are enhanced by enduring sensations of baking spice, dark chocolate and tobacco. The bouquet delivers the classic aromas you should expect of a Merlot of this high standard. The mouthfeel also shows a tight acidic vein that bodes well for the future evolution of this stunning wine. The tannins are youthful and unyielding but they also show firm structure and balance that serves to support the wine's rich extract and flavors.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2013 Masseto is a wine of real vibrancy, clarity and precision. In some moments, the 2013 shows a bit of its voluptuous fruit, but it is rich, structured and clearly in need of time. Like all Massetos from cooler years, the 2013 is a long-distance runner. Give it time. A warm, dry summer helped the vineyards catch up after a late and irregular flowering. Cool nighttime temperatures provided the diurnal shifts at the end of the season that are so critical for the development of aromatics.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2013 Masseto boasts striking inner perfume and sweetness. Pliant and expressive at the outset, the 2013 starts to shut down quickly with time in bottle, which is probably a good thing for the long term. A host of dark red cherry, plum, mocha and licorice build in the glass, but structurally the wine is quite reticent. Historically, Massetos from cooler, late-ripening vintages have developed gracefully in bottle. I expect that to be the case here as well.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2013 Masseto is a wine of real vibrancy, clarity and precision. In some moments, the 2013 shows a bit of its voluptuous fruit, but it is rich, structured and clearly in need of time. Like all Massetos from cooler years, the 2013 is a long-distance runner. Give it time. A warm, dry summer helped the vineyards catch up after a late and irregular flowering. Cool nighttime temperatures provided the diurnal shifts at the end of the season that are so critical for the development of aromatics.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Aromas of blueberries, violets and roses turn to black truffles. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and great length. So gorgeous and persistent. It goes on for minutes.
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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