2009 - Masseto, Toscana

The thread of potent, warm-vintage Massetos continues with the 2009. Dense, opulent and unctuous to its core, the 2009 is a decidedly flamboyant wine with huge fruit density and equally big tannins. Black plum, bittersweet chocolate, menthol and dark spices all build with time in the glass. The 2009 is not at all subtle, but it is pretty delicious. Warm, dry weather, with narrow diurnal shifts, resulted in a harvest that took place over 8 days, from September 2 to 10.

One of the hottest vintages and one of the earliest. They started to pick on 2 September which is normal now when they start in late August but it wasn’t in 2009. The sirocco warmed things from the south and can sometimes bring sand from Africa. Warm nights and there was a threat of the grapes raisining so the tannin and acid are concentrated.Dark, glowing, velvety dark garnet. Very intense nose with an almost burnt edge. Not totally unlike the 2003 bordeaux. Thie is like essence of Masseto. Slightly drying finish. A tad dried out but it’s certainly opulently sweet. (JR)