La Massa, Giorgio Primo, Toscana 2019

Extremely complex aromas of crushed currants, spices and sandalwood with some bark. Violets, too! Full-bodied with creamy, polished tannins and great intensity. Layered and beautiful. Better in 2024, but already beautiful to try.

The beautiful Fattoria La Massa 2019 Giorgio Primo is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Vintner Giampaolo Motta's inspiration is the great wines of Bordeaux, and his vision has never changed despite many passing trends. But perhaps his most important choice as a winemaker (born outside of Tuscany) is his firm commitment to Panzano in Chianti as the ideal home for the French grapes he cultivates. An exciting new Merlot is also in the works, so stay tuned. This is an etched and polished wine with dark fruit, spice, graphite and pencil shavings. The tannins are beautifully managed, and the wine is long and complex.

Taking things up a notch, the 2019 Giorgio Primo is savory and brooding on the nose. Pouring a deep red/purple hue, it reveals notes of boysenberry, pencil shavings, blackcurrants, pine sap, and sage. Full-bodied, it saturates the palate with sweet tannins, a rounded mid-palate, and a great finish. It’s a cellar-worthy wine that’s only going to improve and will harmonize nicely for another few years if stored well. Drink 2026-2046.

The 2019 Giorgio Primo is a worth follow up to the stellar 2018. Dense, rich and explosive, the 2019 races across the palate with dark fruit, chocolate, leather, incense and spice. This sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon-based Panzano red has a ton to offer. The oak is a bit prominent; otherwise, the 2019 is nicely done.

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Giorgio Primo is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with savory notes of sauteed herbs, tapenade, and chargrill, giving way to a core of baked black plums and creme de cassis. The full-bodied palate is taut with black fruit preserves and herbal flavors, supported by firm, chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and savory.

Enjoyable Bordeaux blend from the excellent La Massa estate that is worth looking out for, this has focus and energy, a ton of graphite and crayon-textured tannins, holds on through the palate, the dried herbs of Tuscany giving relief and context to the black fruits. Long on the finish, a little tight in its acidiy and frame, but this has plenty to enjoy. Stéphane Derenoncourt consultant for owner and winemaker Giampaolo Motta. 8ha vineyard, south facing, clay, marl and limestone slopes, from the well balanced 2019 vintage, 50% new oak for ageing in French oak barrels. 3.77ph.