Massetino Toscana IGT

After a mild and rainy winter, March saw a temporary drop in temperatures, with a few nights below 0°C at the very beginning of budding in the last week of the month. However, the newly opened shoots were still protected by the cottony tissue of the bud, which made it possible to avoid damage from frost. The rest of spring included generally warm weather with normal rainfall, ensuring regular vegetative development until flowering, which took place between 20 and 25 May. June had an intense rainy period towards the middle of the month, followed by a very long period of drought with a substantial absence of rain and torrid temperatures until the end of August.

The veraison was homogeneous and rapid between 20 and 25 July, with the grapes beginning to ripen under a blazing sun. Rains came at the end of August and brought a considerable drop in temperatures, with night lows reaching as far as 13°C: ideal conditions for the Merlots to complete their ripening. They were harvested early and quickly to preserve their maximum freshness and just in time to avoid a sudden heat wave lasting a week, where the temperatures reached as high as 37 degrees. The Merlot harvest was completed on 14 September, followed almost immediately by the Cabernet Franc harvest which ended on 16 September.

The bunches, hand harvested in 15kg crates, were sorted by hand on a double sorting table before and after destemming and then subjected to soft crushing. Most of the fermentation took place in concrete tanks, while the grapes from some small parcels fermented in barrels at temperatures between 25 and 30°C. Maceration times ranged from 21 to 28 days. Malolactic fermentation began in 100% new oak barrels, while keeping the various lots separate for the first 12 months of ripening.

Subsequently, the wine was blended and reintroduced once again into the barrels for another year, for a total of 24 months. As usual, Masseto 2019 was given another 12 months in bottle before being released on the market.

Tasting Note
‘The bold, purple colour of Massetino 2020 immediately strikes the eye, ready to reveal its strong identity. The hints of ripe cherry and undergrowth perceived on the nose are consistent upon tasting, with beautiful crispness and freshness of the fruit. As an ideal combination of power and final flavour, Massetino 2020 perfectly embodies the typical traits of the vintage.’ – Gaia Cinnirella (Winemaker – Cellar Master)