Massetino - Toscana 2021 (750ml)
Wine Enthusiast: 98 Points
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
James Suckling: 96 Points
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.
Wine Advocate: 96 Points
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. Following a very productive 17 years at Masseto and Ornellaia Estate Director Axel Heinz announced in March of this year that he was leaving his position. He will join Château Lascombes in Bordeaux as CEO. Axel was born in Germany raised in France and established a brilliant winemaking career in Italy. "It makes it difficult to know which national soccer team to root for" he once joked with me. Under his time at Masseto and Ornellaia the two brands grew in respective strength with individual identities. His new releases command some of the highest prices in Italian wine and are sought after by collectors worldwide. Axel oversaw the construction of the new Masseto winery and he launched a second wine called Massetino (new vintages of both are reviewed here). Axel was quoted in the Italian press as saying "Italy will stay in my heart forever but it's time to go back to France."
Wine Spectator: 94 Points
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.
Vinous: 94 Points
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 - By Antonio Galloni on August 2023 There's quite a bit of news at Ornellaia and sister estate Masseto. Longtime Estate Manager Axel Heinz departed the wineries earlier this summer for his native Bordeaux which opens a new chapter for both estates. ?Two thousand-twenty was the last in a trio of vintages with more rain than usual and no drought but quite a bit of heat during summer." Heinz explained. "Temperatures moderated in August with the arrival of cool evenings. We picked quite a bit of Merlot early for the aromatics. Temperatures then rose markedly leading to a week of rain and then finally to good weather through to the end of harvest." Masseto is a terrific example of the restrained style of 2020 while Massetino is an equally fine and representative 2021.
