The 2005 Masseto (Merlot) is simply gorgeous. A wine of extraordinary class and personality, it remains very primary in its dark fruit, licorice, cassis and toasted oak. It offers notable concentration and well-integrated tannins, all of which convey an impression of awesome harmony, finesse and balance. The tricky growing season seems to have been less of an issue for the Merlot, particularly in the old-vine Masseto Centrale vineyard. The 2005 Masseto has been superb every time I have tasted it thus far. As is often the case, the wine requires at least a few years of bottle age before it becomes approachable. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025. 94 Points, Robert Parker
"Smells like chocolate mousse, with crushed raspberry and hints of flowers. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a rich, fruity finish. This is powerful and structured Merlot, with layers and layers of everything. Needs time to come around. Best after 2014."
96 Points, Wine Spectator
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was founded in 1981, in a beautiful, unspoiled part of Tuscany. From the outset, the mission was to produce outstanding wines. Since then passion and dedication, coupled with a unique terroir and an extraordinary microclimate, have brought the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's prestigious labels great success and recognition as one of the most important wineries in the world.
Ornellaia, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia’s flagship wine, was first produced with vintage 1985, from an extremely careful selection of the vineyards grown on the Estate. Produced in limited quantities, hand-crafted and vinified with the utmost care and attention to detail, Ornellaia has constantly received top ratings from the most influential opinion leaders around the world. Vintage 2005 marked the 20th anniversary of Ornellaia which was celebrated with numerous events all over the globe and with the creation of special anniversary large size bottles.
Starting with vintage Ornellaia 2006, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia has introduced the project Vendemmia d’Artista, a marriage between the world of contemporary art and that of wine, and one which celebrates the unique character of each new vintage of Ornellaia, the flagship wine of Tenuta dell’Ornellaia. At Ornellaia, each vintage is like a painting. The subject is always their wines, but the terroir is a myriad of different characteristics that require patient interpretation, and subtle strokes to represent the very essence and soul of the vintage. Their goal is that each strike of the paintbrush shows their experience, dedication and passion.
The first wine produced and released from the Masseto vineyard was the 1986 vintage. It was simply called “Merlot“. The name of Masseto then appeared on the label with the 1987 vintage.
Masseto is a wine of great and complex personality where its remarkable structure always combine with beautiful elegance. Naturally each vintage has its own identity and exemplifies, for the enjoyment of its aficionados, the stunning possibilities of interpretations which climate variations offer: noble opulence for the 2001, dense tannic structure for the 1988, or great elegance for the 2007.
So each vintage of Masseto is one and yet, at the same time, a piece of a whole . A single testimonial of the unique alliance of terroir, climate, and human talent which defines Masseto, as well as an inspiring evidence of Masseto’s timeless value.
