Masseto Toscana IGT 2022
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JD 98+] [DM 98] [JS 97] [WS 96] [VM 95]

About the Winery:
Masseto is a rare, single vineyard wine made entirely from Merlot grapes grown on the vineyard bearing the same name. Located in the vaunted Bolgheri region of Tuscany, Masseto was first released in 1986 and quickly gained a reputation as one of the world's most sought after and extremely allocated wines. Massetino is their second wine, first produced in 2017 and made after the selection of grapes is made for Masseto; it shares the same pedigree as its sibling.

As a tribute to its rugged force, its softness, and the debt it owes to the soil from which it rises, Masseto was named after the rock-hard clusters of blue clay called ‘massi’ that form on the vineyard’s surface.

Climate & Vintage
The 2022 vintage was characterised by a rather standard winter, with temperatures close to the seasonal average, followed by a cool and dry spring. This led to budding dates that were slightly later than usual. Starting at the end of May, however, temperatures were already quite high, touching peaks of 35°C and with a long period of hot weather and drought lasting around 75 days, affecting the natural cycle of our vines. Fortunately, these weather conditions were followed by rainfall, in the form of characteristic summer storms, which relieved the situation, restoring the physiological balance of the vines as they prepared for the 2022 harvest. September was ideal for the accumulation of sugars, aromas and tannins, thanks mainly to cool overnight temperatures. The harvest took place in excellent conditions, allowing us to choose the ideal harvest date for each individual parcel. The first Merlot grapes were harvested on 6 September and the harvest ended on 9 October with the Cabernet Franc grapes.

Vinification & Ageing
The grapes were harvested by hand into 15 kg crates. After destemming and gentle crushing, the grapes were transferred to concrete tanks by gravity. Each individual parcel of the vineyard was vinified separately. Fermentation took place spontaneously with indigenous yeasts at temperatures of around 25-28°C, with pumping over two or three times a day and délestages where necessary. The maceration time was extended from 21 to 28 days, to favour the aromatic profile and extraction of each individual batch. Malolactic fermentation took place in barriques, with 100% new oak, keeping the various vineyards separate for the first 12 months of ageing. Subsequently, the wines were blended and returned to barriques for another year, reaching a total of 24 months of ageing in wood. After bottling, Masseto 2022 underwent a further 12 months of bottle ageing before being released on the market.

Tasting Notes
Coming from a unique soil, the personality of the grapes used for Masseto 2022 is perfectly reflected in the wine, which expresses a concentration of small red fruits that are immediately recognisable in the glass. A vibrant, bright red colour, distinctive of its identity, opens the way to a rich mouthfeel and seductive flavour. Naturally powerful, it has its final months of ageing in the bottle, where it finds the perfect balance between strength and elegance that always define its style.

Ratings & Reviews

98+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"This vintage of the 2022 Masseto is 100% Merlot. The nose is pronounced, leading with its mineral aromas of crushed dark stones. It smells like dissolved minerals, delicate peppery accents, black plum, red apples, lavender perfume, and sage. The aromatics are quite profound in this vintage, and on the palate, it’s full-bodied and more structured, with ripe tannins and a good deal of depth and richness, with the minerality shining through. Long on the palate, it’s generous all the way through, and while it feels approachable upfront, more structure comes through on the finish. Allow it some time in cellar and drink 2028-2058" - Audrey Frick (Mar 2025)

98 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"The summer was so arid in 2022 that the vines shut down and ripening was halted until mid-August rains arrived. This helped to preserve acidity in the grapes, giving sensational freshness to balance the rich and finely structured palate. Masseto 2022, then, combines the best of both worlds: fruit ripeness and concentration, and freshness and poise. It's not as immediately seductive as the 2021, but there is so much potential in this long-lived vintage. Scents of cool, damp earth, dark hedgerow berries, Mediterranean scrub, and cocoa and wood give a sense of what is to come once time has untangled everything. Zingy, crunchy acidity steals the show early on, segueing into a mouthful of succulent yet dense dark berries and spice imbued with plenty of energy. Then some balsamic herbs and floral notes lighten the palate, before a touch of salinity and some bitter herbs emerge on the finish, with a refrain of bright cherry. Something special." - James Button (Jun 2025)

97 Points - James Suckling:
"A solid and structured red with blackcurrant, chocolate and walnut aromas and underlying toasted wood. Medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins and a chewy, savory finish. Hints of coconut and toasted oak. It’s muscular and toned. It needs time to soften. Best after 2028." (May 2025)

96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This red is both well-structured and framed with new oak nuances of vanilla, toast and resin, setting the stage for plum, blackberry, fruitcake, mineral and tobacco flavors. There’s a salty element interwoven throughout, along with a fluid feel. Offers fine grip on the lingering finish, so give the dense tannins some time to integrate. Merlot. Best from 2028 through 2043. 410 cases imported." - Bruce Sanderson (Oct 2025)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Masseto is elegant and polished, just as it was when I first tasted it a few months ago. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, menthol and cinnamon all meld together nicely in the glass. The lighter style of the year is evident, but there are no hard edges or awkward contours. The 2022 is a super-refined Masseto." - Antonio Galloni (Feb 2025)