2021 Masseto Toscana IGT

Opening a bottle of 2021 Masseto is like uncorking the soul of Tuscany. This is a rare blend of raw power and polished sophistication.

2021 brought a perfect balance to the Tuscan coast. A rainy winter gave way to a warm, dry summer, with the grapes thriving in these ideal conditions. The result? Exceptionally concentrated fruit with unparalleled depth and structure. Masseto’s vineyard—perched on the rugged Bolgheri hills and kissed by the Mediterranean breeze—delivered grapes that captured the essence of the land’s raw beauty and energy.

The vineyard’s unique blue clay soil, formed over millions of years, is the secret behind Masseto’s power. These rock-hard ‘massi’ clusters lock in the vineyard’s history, creating a wine that’s steeped in both geology and genius. Masseto isn’t just wine—it’s earth in a glass.

At Masseto, less is more. The winemaking philosophy here is about letting the land take the lead. The vines battle the elements, and the winemaking team steps in only when absolutely necessary. No fancy tricks, no overcomplication—just pure, powerful grapes expressing their full potential. This is a wine made with respect for its environment and a dedication to simplicity.

“Everything revolves around an extraordinary, fragile vineyard, and a wine crafted with the utmost care. We have tanks. We have barrels. We have gravity flow. And we have people who live for this wine. That’s our philosophy.” ~ Lamberto Frescobaldi, Marchesi Frescobaldi President

For over 700 years, the Frescobaldi family has been shaping Tuscany’s winemaking history. Masseto is their crowning glory—a testament to tradition, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Aging: 24 Months in 100% New French barrels.

100% Merlot.
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

The 2021 Masseto is a stunner. It also shows how much the estate has evolved in recent years. I was reminded of that recently when I drank the 2001, considered by many observers, including this one, to be one of the greatest wines ever made here. The 2021 represents a move towards a more refined style. There’s less of the bombastic intensity and extraction that were once the norm here. I remember young vintages that were impossible to taste young. The 2021, on the other hand, is an absolute delight. Crushed flowers, spice, blood orange and bright, red-toned fruit all grace the palate. Floral aromatics and saline underpinnings are at times reminiscent of the Cabernet Franc found in the 2019 and 2020, but the 2021 is back to the classic 100% Merlot. Readers will find a Masseto built on linear energy more than volume. The 2021 is quite simply the most exquisite, refined young Masseto I have ever tasted. Aging was 24 months in 100% new French oak. ~100 Vinous Media

Tasted from barrel, the 2021 Masseto pours a youthful magenta hue and brings forward an inviting bouquet with some blue fruit coming through and more chocolate aromas as well with to me it is fresh with blackberry, and purple violet flowers. It boasts outstanding concentration and depth, with a plush, cushiony texture at this stage, incredible finesse and balance, and a wonderful mineral aroma of wet asphalt coming through. A harmonious wine with well-integrated oak, this may be the best vintage of this cuvée that I have tasted to date.~98-100 Jeb Dunnuck

In 2021, Masseto returns to its original 100% Merlot concept, following two years which saw the inclusion of 15% Cabernet Franc. Following a mild and wet winter, spring was dry and the summer was characterised by higher than average temperatures and periods of drought. Luckily, the vines were quenched by the water reserves built up at the beginning of the year. Masseto 2021 really has everything: it's vertical in shape and saline in character, with succulence of fruit, freshness of profile and finesse of tannins. Mediterranean herbs accompany ripe dark fruit scents and flavours which are yet to reveal all their depth and charm. ~99 Decanter

Our entire adult lives are spent trying to reclaim the wonder of our childhood—the enchantment of Disney World, the legend of Santa Claus, the belief in miracles that is slowly eroded with age. Masseto is always a wine that brings back that magic, but Gaia allows you to get up out of your seat and watch her sleight of hand from a nose-length. I dare you to figure out how she does it, and I defy you not to gasp with delight at the reveal. Drink now or hold until you next feel your faith faltering. ~99 Wine Enthisiast

Blueberries and black olives with violets and hints of sage, as well as rosemary flowers. Full and powerful with lots of fruit and vanilla on the palate. A rich and flavorful red, yet held together beautifully. Muscular and powerful. Needs five or six years to come together. Give it time. ~98 James Suckling

The 2021 Masseto is back to being 100% Merlot. Recent past vintages saw a tiny part of Cabernet Franc. That second varietal in the blend represents the proverbial "tax" one must pay in the face of climate change, especially when making wine on the sun-drenched Tuscan Coast. This is a very rich and elaborate expression with the extract, tannic tightness and the hefty 15.5% alcohol content to match. It comes off as quite big-boned or monotone. The wine is redolent of blackberry confit and cooked cherry, with a wide range of sweet oak spices to close. There is dark chocolate with a thin lining of creamy mint filling. Within the context of that fullness and generous fruit weight, Masseto is quite a commitment in terms of price and further cellaring. More bottle aging is an absolute requirement. ~95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Concentrated grapes in a hot vintage means expect this to be a rich, concentrated Masseto, exuberant with luxurious tannins. Beautiful depth on the aromatics from the first moment, with rich fruit flavours that flood the palate, tons of liquorice, olive pit, chocolate shavings, cocoa bean, rosemary, freshly cut herbs, underbrush, opulent and powerful, flash of heat that subsides after a moment but is evident on the opening. Marco Balsimelli winemaker, Marchesi Frescobaldi owners. 11ha vineyard, 24 months ageing in barrel then 12 months in bottle before release, 100% new oak. Back to 100% Merlot in this vintage. ~95 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

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