Massetino 2021 (750ML)

98 WE / 96 WA / 96 JS / 95+ JD / 94 WS / 94 VM / 94 WI / 93 DE / 93 JA / 15.5+ JR

The Masseto 2020 and the Massetino 2021 bring to mind the Duomo of Florence and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica—both magnificent, imposing and equally beautiful. And if the Masseto is more architecturally sophisticated, the Massetino seems to do more with less. The Cabernet Franc works like an ice plunge after a hot sauna, tempering the almost terrifying intensity of the Merlot. A work of art, in any case. Gorgeous now, better in 2031. — Danielle Callegari

The Masseto 2021 Massetino is mostly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc for good measure. The wine (packaged in a heavy glass bottle) is very richly concentrated and layered. You see (and taste) the opulent texture of the wine as it slowly coats the glass. Quality fruit is matched by carefully selected oak, and the intensity of both builds on the palate. This vintage is poised for especially long cellar aging. This vintage of Massetino (2021) scores neck-in-neck with the current vintage (2020) of Masseto. - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Sweet berries with violet and rose aromas. Raspberries. So perfumed. Medium-bodied with very fine velvety tannins that run the length of the wine. Vibrant at the end. Second wine of Masseto. Best ever. Drink in 2027 but already a joy to taste. - James Suckling

A deep but transparent red color, the 2021 Massetino is harmonious and pure with aromas of polished leather, red apple, Amarena cherry, violets, and fresh rosemary. It’s penetrating on the palate, with outstanding freshness within this full-bodied red, offering ripe tannins, refreshing acidity, and very nice structure. It boasts a beautiful and clean mineral flourish on the very long and even finish, with a hint of warmth and cocoa on the back palate. It is fabulous already without anything sticking out and captures the warmth of the vintage with a graceful approach, while its liqueur-like fruit lasts for ages on the finish. A fantastic vintage for this wine, drink 2025-2045.-Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck

Elegant and vibrant, this red flows nicely, building to a long, spice-tinged aftertaste. Boasts blackberry, black currant, violet, cocoa, mineral and fresh herb flavors that ply its length, while lively acidity and powdery tannins provide structure. Focused and approachable now, yet will be better in a year or two. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2033. - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

The 2021 Massetino is a supremely elegant and gracious wine. Silky tannins caress a core of blackberry, espresso, mocha, licorice,  cloves and lavender. All the elements are so nicely balanced in this super-appealing, racy second wine from Masseto, - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2021 Massetino, 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, it explodes from the glass with bombastic notes of stewed black plums, boysenberries, and blackberry pie, followed by hints of Indian spices, licorice, and fragrant soil. The big, concentrated, full-bodied palate is jam packed with black fruit preserves, framed by velvety tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and spicy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

Dried herbs and dried flowers on the nose with quite dominant oaky scents. Ripe black fruit and abundant tannins, not so rich or fleshy but massy in the mouth, wide, giving a large structure which supports the expression. This is smooth and bright with grip and intensity but you can really feel the alcohol here and it detracts from any kind of delicate nuance with toasted spices, coffee, dark chocolate and cedar at the fore. Heady and overt, powerful, though sleek and layered, the tannins are great and the fruit feels both cool and ripe but there's an underlying sense of heat from start to finish. Malolactic fermentation in French barriques (50% new) then 12 months ageing after which the 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc was blended and returned to barriques for three months before bottling.  Winemaker Gaia Cinnirella. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Vivid ruby red colour, opening up to show ripe and seductive layers of damson and black cherry, along with grilled spices and coffee, espresso, cocoa bean. Clear complexity and generosity, sleek, impressive. Winemaker Gaia Cinnirella since the 2021 harvest. Natural yeast fermentation, 50% new oak. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Chocolate and violet perfume on the nose. There is a delicate opulence to the palate, with cashmere tannins and slightly fudgy fruit. Plenty of spice and ripeness, perhaps a little too much make-up for the fruit. (TP) - Jancis Robinson