Masseto, Toscana 2010

The 2010 Masseto is powerful, heady and explosive, with tons of density and pedigree to burn. On the one hand, I am happy to check in on it tonight, but on the other hand, the 2010 is very clearly a wine for the future. I wouldn’t dream of opening a bottle any time soon. The 2010 has been showier, but tonight it is decidedly reticent, and that's a shame, as it can be transcendental. It was one of the latest harvests at the property. Picking started on September 18 and wrapped up October 4.

The 2010 Masseto is truly monumental, leaving you breathless and wordless all at once. Once you sip the wine, it takes a few minutes before you grasp the enormity of its beauty and potential. You almost have to wonder how enologist Axel Heinz could conceive of a wine this beautiful - and how did he execute it? I could wax poetic for hours: Dark cherry, chocolate, baking spice and tobacco smoke lift off the bouquet in thin veils and magical puffs. The quality of the aromas is exceptional, but again, the seamless integration is what makes Masseto a protagonist of Italian wine. No matter how much time goes by, that beauty will remain firmly etched in your memory bank. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.

The 2010 vintage was tricky with the weather, but Masseto excelled. This is very exceptional on the nose. Opulent and so Merlot with black olive, chocolate mousse, minerals, and lavender. Full body, with chewy tannins and a long long finish. This is so pure. Harvest was made mostly the first week of October. So it was very late. Can't wait to taste it in bottle.