Tuscan Royalty: 95 Point 2009 Ornellaia Masseto! The Petrus of Italy!
James Suckling September 2011
Masseto
This famous producer, first released in 1984, is located on the Tuscan coast of Italy in a prestigious appellation called Bolgheri. Just like the highly sought-after Bordeaux wine, Petrus, Masseto’s vineyard is 100% Merlot. Its title as one of the most famous ‘Super Tuscan’ wines and its classification as an IGT Toscana consistently keeps its wines in high regard and demand. James Suckling has said,
"If there is one winery in Tuscany that contends with the chateaux in Bordeaux and Burgundy, it has to be Masseto. The wine could be the Petrus of Tuscany."
Tenuta dell’Ornellia
The Frescobaldis and Tenuta dell’Ornellia own and oversee the 16.3-acre site with the perfect soils for growing merlot: high clay content in the center of the soils and sand and pebble-based soils in the top and bottom layers. The meticulous picking process, similar to that of Petrus, that ensures only the best grapes are used for production. Every vintage has earned high critic scores and possess a concentrated mix of flavors with hints of black currant and raspberry.
Michel Rolland - Consulting WineMaker
In 1991, the consulting winemaker role passed to Rolland, and the 2001 vintage earned perfect scores from both Wine Spectator and James Suckling, who concluded his review by saying: “Enjoy this for the rest of your life.” Some other producers that Rolland, the "Flying Winemaker" works with include: Bryant Family, Harlan Estate, Dalla Valle Vineyards, and Screaming Eagle.
100 Point 2001 Ornellaia Masseto
The 2001 vintage for the Tuscan region is legendary. Now that the bottles are over two decades old, the wine is in perfect condition to drink. The Merlot grapes were picked early in the growing season, and even though there was a relatively low yield, the grapes picked produced wines that have rich tannic and full-bodied characteristics. The 2001 earned multiple 100-point scores and an all-around enthusiastic reception.
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James Suckling 100 Points - 2001 Ornellaia Masseto
"This is clearly a perfect wine and just now starting to open and show you its sheer beauty. It's balanced with fascinating rosemary and dark fruit character that turns to plums and light chocolate. The undertones on the nose remind me of walking through the Masseto vineyard during a cool summer's morning. It finally softens at the finish and shows a stunning fruit and acid tension. Finally softening and showing it true greatness. Decant four hours before." JS Jul 2014
James Suckling 95 Points - 2009 Ornellaia Masseto
"Sexy and muscular. Blackberries, licorice and tar on the nose. Bark, earth, and spice as well. Super subtle. Full-bodied, with super chewy tannins and a wonderful line. So beautiful. Creamy tannins. A baby 2001. Try in 2016." JS Dec 2012
Wine Spectator 99 Points - 1999 Ornellaia Masseto
"This has a Mediterranean nose of wild rosemary, juniper, spice and ripe, rich cherry. Offers a superb expression of fruit, cedar and lead pencil flavors, matched to an elegant, harmonious profile. Terrific finish. Merlot. - Non-blind Masseto vertical (October 2017). Drink now through 2032." BS for WS Web 2018