Vineyards Magazine

Since 1986, Masseto has been produced from a single vineyard facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, where the vines sink their roots into Pliocene blue clay. These rare soils, together with the coastal breezes, light of Bolgheri and meticulous care from vineyard to cellar shape the wine vintage after vintage.

Masseto 2023 vintage will be released to market on 1 October.

In the diary kept by Masseto, the story of the 2023 vintage begins with a mild winter and a normal start to the growing season. Spring rains replenished water reserves while requiring the vineyard team to carry out careful selection. “Nature set us a challenge, which we embraced it, turning it into value.” explains Marco Balsimelli, Technical Director of Masseto.

The summer was bright and sunny with no extreme peaks in temperature. The water reserves accumulated in the spring accompanied the grapes towards slow, gradual ripening, encouraging concentration and balance. Rain returned at the end of August, followed by cool nights in September. These were all invaluable conditions for developing aromatic complexity and preserving acidity and freshness, while maintaining a balance between phenolic and technological ripeness. “It was a vintage full of vitality and satisfaction.” adds Balsimelli.

The harvest began on September 6 and concluded on October 5. Each parcel was harvested by hand, with the bunches carefully placed in 15-kilogram crates. The grapes only have a short journey to make. The Masseto winery is carved directly into the vineyard itself, with just a few minutes separating the vines from the winemaking process. Upon arrival, the bunches were destemmed and the grapes gently crushed before being transferred by gravity into concrete vats.

Each parcel does its own journey. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barriques, 80 percent of which are new, where the ageing process begins. “Each parcel has its own voice” continues Balsimelli. “We vinify them separately so that each can fully express itself. Only when the time comes to blend do these different characters come together and become Masseto.” After a total of 24 months in barriques, Masseto is bottled before returning to the quietude of the cellar, where it continues to age until the time comes for the wine to be released into the world.

Masseto 2023 fills the glass with a vibrant ruby red. On the nose, it opens with dark, juicy fruit, gradually giving way to black pepper, tobacco and graphite notes. On the palate, the wine shows depth and elegance, a signature style that has long defined Masseto. The tannins are smooth, while the acidity brings lift and freshness. “Masseto 2023 is vibrant and balanced. A wine that already speaks with clarity and has a long future ahead,” concludes the Technical Director.