Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Massetino draws on selected components from the Masseto hillside, where the west-facing vineyards follow a vein of Pliocene blue clay. Its origins include recently replanted Merlot and Cabernet Franc parcels enclosed by a dry-stone wall, together with other lots not used in the final Masseto blend.
Grapes
Blend proportions vary by vintage. Latest published vintage (2024): 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.
Vinification
Harvest ran plot by plot from late August until mid-September. The grapes were hand-picked into 15 kg crates, destemmed and gently crushed. They then moved by gravity, without an oenological pump, into concrete tanks. Every parcel was vinified separately.
Fermentation proceeded at approximately 25–28°C. Extraction involved two or three pump-overs per day where required, together with minimally invasive techniques. Maceration averaged 21–25 days. Malolactic fermentation was completed before barrel maturation.
Ageing
The wine matured for 12 months in oak barriques, half of them new. After blending, it rested for approximately four months in concrete tanks before bottling.
Tasting profile
The colour is bright, vibrant ruby with violet highlights. The nose opens with blackcurrant and red-berry notes, followed by Mediterranean scrub and a subtle balsamic nuance. Entry onto the palate is smooth and harmonious. Lively freshness brings energy and movement, while evident but controlled tannins integrate into an agile, decisive structure. Tasted in April 2026.
Vintage notes
The opening months of 2024 combined mild temperatures with rainfall that built strong vineyard water reserves. Further rain late in the vegetative cycle encouraged vigorous growth and required prompt canopy management. Heat arrived at the end of June; the vines entered veraison in July in balanced condition. Dry weather continued until mid-August, when cooler temperatures helped the fruit complete ripening with concentration, acidity and aromatic complexity. These qualities remained consistent through the plot-by-plot harvest from late August to mid-September.
Label / history
Massetino was created from promising Merlot and Cabernet Franc parcels and other components excluded from the Masseto master blend. Its inaugural 2017 vintage was released in 2019, thirty years after Masseto’s first official vintage. The release coincided with the completion and inauguration of the Masseto winery designed by Zito & Mori.
