Massetino, Toscana 2022

Massetino is considered the second wine of Masseto, but I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that it's far more than that. It represents around one-third of the production of Masseto, and judging by the quality of this 2022, next year's release of the grand vin could be absolutely phenomenal. Massetino has always incorporated a portion Cabernet Franc since its first vintage, 2017 – 10% in 2022. A cool and dry spring led to a slightly late budbreak, followed by 75 days of drought and high temperatures. Summer storms eventually came along to restore balance, and the cool September evenings were perfect for the grapes reach full ripeness. Each parcel was vinified separately and spontaneously in concrete tanks before undergoing malolactic fermentation in barriques, 50% new. After 12 months, the final blend was made and the wine spent a further three months in concrete before bottling. Bright and stony, there's so much energy here. Zingy and sapid, it combines fresh Mediterranean herbs and poised fruit, with more verticality than Masseto 2021 and just as much concentration. Incredible precision and beautiful freshness, especially considering the vintage.

The 2022 Massetino is Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, and the color is a deep purple/magenta with rich extract in the glass. It offers deep notes of dark stones, a very unique perfume of lavender oils, rosemary, cedar, leather, and delicate toasty incense lifting from the glass. Plush and full-bodied, it’s more approachable and round on the palate, with notes of mocha, velvety plush tannins, even acidity, and a good deal of length. Drink 2026-2040.

The Masseto 2022 Massetino is 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc in a well-played supporting role, especially in a hot vintage such as this. The two varieties make an impressive match to create a wine of density, richness and dark fruit flavors powered by a hearty 15% alcohol content. The philosophy behind Massetino is to allow for a more accessible side of the celebrated Masseto. The two wines share the same DNA in terms of fruit sourcing and winemaking. This edition is packed tight with black fruit, spice and toast. It offers an elegant tannic backbone and good freshness too.

Naturally lower vigour vines because of the clay soils, so lower yield, less density in the plantation. Plush, lush flavours, purity of blueberry and cassis fruits, chalky tannins, rose petals, spherical, cocoa bean, dark chocolate, liquorice, strong character. 30% new oak. 94.