2008 Masseto

Toscana IGT

Merlot

Italy / Tuscany / Bolgheri / Toscana IGT

¥227,100
JD 98
RP 97
V 97
Size:
Quantity:

2008 Masseto Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy

The 2008 masseto growing season was marked by a cool, rainy spring, with budbreak occurring within the norm. Rainfall during flowering did however affect the fruit set, thus lowering the vine’s production. Summer brought intense heat, with almost no rain, and these conditions lasted through the first ten days of September. This facilitated a good veraison and a very satisfactory ripening process, since the cool nights favoured development of aromas and of deep colour, while the sunny days served to further concentrate compounds in the fruit, yielding grapes of impressive depth. September brought the cool northerly tramontana winds, which lowered temperatures. This cool, breezy but generously sunny period was particularly beneficial to some of the later ripening vines in the central part of Masseto, allowing them to develop full ripeness while maintaining fresh and vibrant aromatics. Harvest started on 4th September with the youngest vines of ‘Masseto Junior’ and was completed with the last section of ‘Masseto Centrale’ on 18th September yielding a total of six different lots.

TASTING NOTES: Masseto 2008 is the expression of a warm vintage, most of it having been harvested in the first half of September. With great concentration, its colour is particularly deep and young. The nose is characterized by rich and fully ripe fruit yet without any traces of over ripeness, focused and intense with spicy and mineral notes. On the palate the wine is remarkably dense, concentrated and opulent, with a very pure expression of fruit. The tannins are present and firm giving the wine focus and precision to balance the wine’s opulent richness. It is undoubtedly one of the
great expressions of 2018 Masseto with a long ageing potential.

JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2008 Masseto is a powerhouse, and unquestionably one of the greatest expression of pure Merlot out there. Incredibly deep, rich notes of black fruits, chocolate, earth, and licorice all emerge from this majestic yet classic, regal, masculine wine. It’s full-bodied and beautifully balanced on the palate and has fabulous purity of fruit, polished tannins, and a huge finish. It’s still a baby but wow, what a wine. Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck, Issue date: December 2018. Drinking window: 2018 - 2048.
RP 97

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(RATING 97+) The 2008 Masseto is another huge wine. It boasts tons of energy in a tense, inward style I can only describe as implosive, as if the wine is holding back all of its energy. A deep core of black fruit, grilled herbs, licorice and new leather emerges from time to time, but the tannins are still imposing. There is no shortage of pedigree. I fully expect the 2008 to develop into one of the great Massetos. Needless to say, it will be interesting to taste the 2008 in vertical tastings in the future. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033. Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni, Issue date: June 2012. Drinking window: 2018 - 2033.
V 97

Vinous

(RATING 97+)The 2008 Masseto has never been an easy wine. When it was first released, it was so hard and unyielding. Time has helped the 2008 soften a bit. Even so, it remains a wine of contrasts, of a very obvious push and pull that seems to mirror a growing season marked by alternating periods of warm weather and far cooler conditions. Graphite, smoke, tar and licorice, along with broad tannins, give the 2008 a real feeling of masculine power, qualities that are accentuated in the magnum format. Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni, Issue date: Jaunary 2018. Drinking window: 2018 - 2038.

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  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2008 Masseto is a powerhouse, and unquestionably one of the greatest expression of pure Merlot out there. Incredibly deep, rich notes of black fruits, chocolate, earth, and licorice all emerge from this majestic yet classic, regal, masculine wine. It’s full-bodied and beautifully balanced on the palate and has fabulous purity of fruit, polished tannins, and a huge finish. It’s still a baby but wow, what a wine. Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck, Issue date: December 2018. Drinking window: 2018 - 2048.
RP 97

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(RATING 97+) The 2008 Masseto is another huge wine. It boasts tons of energy in a tense, inward style I can only describe as implosive, as if the wine is holding back all of its energy. A deep core of black fruit, grilled herbs, licorice and new leather emerges from time to time, but the tannins are still imposing. There is no shortage of pedigree. I fully expect the 2008 to develop into one of the great Massetos. Needless to say, it will be interesting to taste the 2008 in vertical tastings in the future. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033. Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni, Issue date: June 2012. Drinking window: 2018 - 2033.
V 97

Vinous

(RATING 97+)The 2008 Masseto has never been an easy wine. When it was first released, it was so hard and unyielding. Time has helped the 2008 soften a bit. Even so, it remains a wine of contrasts, of a very obvious push and pull that seems to mirror a growing season marked by alternating periods of warm weather and far cooler conditions. Graphite, smoke, tar and licorice, along with broad tannins, give the 2008 a real feeling of masculine power, qualities that are accentuated in the magnum format. Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni, Issue date: Jaunary 2018. Drinking window: 2018 - 2038.

2008 Masseto Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy

The 2008 masseto growing season was marked by a cool, rainy spring, with budbreak occurring within the norm. Rainfall during flowering did however affect the fruit set, thus lowering the vine’s production. Summer brought intense heat, with almost no rain, and these conditions lasted through the first ten days of September. This facilitated a good veraison and a very satisfactory ripening process, since the cool nights favoured development of aromas and of deep colour, while the sunny days served to further concentrate compounds in the fruit, yielding grapes of impressive depth. September brought the cool northerly tramontana winds, which lowered temperatures. This cool, breezy but generously sunny period was particularly beneficial to some of the later ripening vines in the central part of Masseto, allowing them to develop full ripeness while maintaining fresh and vibrant aromatics. Harvest started on 4th September with the youngest vines of ‘Masseto Junior’ and was completed with the last section of ‘Masseto Centrale’ on 18th September yielding a total of six different lots.

TASTING NOTES: Masseto 2008 is the expression of a warm vintage, most of it having been harvested in the first half of September. With great concentration, its colour is particularly deep and young. The nose is characterized by rich and fully ripe fruit yet without any traces of over ripeness, focused and intense with spicy and mineral notes. On the palate the wine is remarkably dense, concentrated and opulent, with a very pure expression of fruit. The tannins are present and firm giving the wine focus and precision to balance the wine’s opulent richness. It is undoubtedly one of the
great expressions of 2018 Masseto with a long ageing potential.

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