Masseto - Winemaking, Best Wines, Prices (2024)

Want to explore more about Masseto wine before you invest in it?

When it comes to Super Tuscans, Masseto stands out - on par with the best of Burgundy and Bordeaux. This wine emerged in the 1980s with an unconventional decision to make Bordeaux-style wine from Merlot, and added to the Super Tuscan revolution kicked off by Tignanello and Sassicaia.

But what makes Masseto wine so unique? How is it made? 

Is Masseto a good wine for your investment portfolio?

In this article, we will look at everything about Masseto - its history, where it is produced, the vineyards, and more! We even have a list of Eight Stunning Masseto Wines for you to buy in 2024 and The Best Way To Invest In Them!

A Quick Intro to Masseto

Masseto is the iconic Merlot-based red wine made by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia under the IGT Toscana classification. (The name comes from the terroir it is planted in - “masso” in Italian means boulder or rock.)

Until 2019 it was made in the Ornellaia vineyard that lies tucked away on the Tuscan coast, close to Bolgheri. In 2019, the Masseto winery was inaugurated, and the wine has been crafted there since then.

This single varietal wine is known for its opulent fruit, complex aromas, and dense tannic structure. It is considered as the ultimate expression of a single-varietal vineyard! 

Let’s take a closer look at its fascinating history.

A Brief History of Masseto

Masseto was created around the same time as Ornellaia (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) in the 1980s by Tenuta dell’Ornellaia’s founder Marchese Lodovico Antinori.

The slope, where the Masseto vineyard sits, wasn’t the ideal location for Merlot vines. But, Lodovico Antinori wanted to produce Bordeaux-style wines, took a risk, and planted them against all advice, tradition, and odds. 

Antinori wanted to plant Merlot to differentiate his estate from Nicolo Incisa's Sassicaia.

The first vintage of Masseto was released in 1986 and received immediate acclaim. The reputation of Masseto wine continued to rise through the 1990s. 

The winery was co-owned by Robert Mondavi and Marchesi De Frescobaldi from 2002 to 2005. The Frescobaldi Family (producers of Brunello di Montalcino) took over both  Ornellaia and Masseto wine estates in 2005 and currently owns both. 

In 2008, Masseto became the first Italian wine to be sold through the Place de Bordeaux (the complex system of negociants who sell Bordeaux wine to the rest of the world.)

In 2012, to recognize the Merlot-based wine’s increasing importance, the winery name was changed from "Tenuta dell'Ornellaia" to "Ornellaia e Masseto” to honor the two flagship wines.

In 2019, the Masseto winery with its state-of-the-art facilities was opened.

Masseto continues to enjoy worldwide success under estate director and winemaker Axel Heinz (in consultation with oenologist Michel Rolland.) 

• Also read: Don’t let the wrong Champagne Glass take the fizz out of your Favorite Champagne. 
• Also, discover our favorite recipe for a Mouthwatering Mimosa and a Charming Champagne Cocktail. 

The Masseto Vineyard

The Masseto vineyard is a 6.6 hectare site, which served as a clay quarry in the past. 

Andre Tchelistcheff, a famed oenologist, identified Masseto Hill as having great potential for the Merlot grape - thanks to its high compact clay content, with pebble and sand-based soils along the upper and lower portions. 

The Masseto Vineyard has three easily identifiable sections:

• The soil at the top of the hill (“Masseto Alto”) consists of loose blue clay, sand, and pebble. This mixture gives the wine its noble opulence.
• “Masseto Centrale” lies in the vineyard center. There is a 10% gradient in the slope with Pliocene clay, which defines this terroir’s character. This terroir is what lends concentration, power, and tannic structure to the wine.
• The third section of the vineyard is known as “Masseto Junior.” These rows grow on soils with less clay and give the wine its generosity, breadth, and softness. 

The Merlot grapes ripen at different times across these sections, so vineyard managers need to keep a careful eye and harvest at different times.

Each harvested parcel is aged and vinified separately. They go through fermentation and maceration for 25-30 days.

The blending of the different parcels takes place after a year of aging. Winemakers age the final blend in new French oak barrique barrels for another year. 

Let’s see what’s new in the Masseto winery inaugurated in 2019.

The Masseto Winery

Designed by Italian architects Zito & Mori, the winery has top of the range winemaking systems, a revamped cellar, and a wine caveau that showcases every vintage of Masseto. 

The winery is built in such a way that the “gravity-flow production process” works smoothly. The underground rooms were designed for the wines to move effortlessly from the initial vinification, barrel aging, and finally, to the bottling line.

The 2018 vintage of Masseto was the first vintage produced in the Masseto Winery. 

Massetino - The Second Wine

2019 was a momentous year for Masseto - not only did they officially open their winery, but they also released their inaugural vintage of Massetino. 

This second wine has already made quite a name for itself. Massetino has the same pedigree as its older sibling, and it has loads of power, luxury, and refinement. 

Also read:

• Not in the mood for Merlot? Take a look into the world of the Sensational Zinfandel Wine. 
• Or perhaps you are in the mood for white wine instead? We have a list of the Best Riesling Wines and Pinot Blancs for you.

8 Of Our Favorite Masseto Vintages

Every bottle of Masseto is unique - here are our eight top picks from this glorious winery:

1. 1990 Masseto Toscana IGT

This vintage of Masseto has a bouquet of sweet blueberries, blackberries, and hints of vanilla from new oak barrels. The full-bodied palate shows a balance between the acidity, intense aroma, rich fruit, and refined tannic structure. 

Price of  1990 Masseto Toscana IGT: $1609

2. 1988 Masseto Toscana IGT

The 1988 vintage of this Tuscan wine matches with the 1985 and 1990 vintages as one of the greatest of its decade. 

It has all the tell-tale signs of a complex, elegant, and perfectly balanced wine. This vintage is a full-textured wine with a high tannin level. The remarkable freshness and solidarity it displays show that it still has plenty of potential. 

Price of 1988 Masseto Toscana IGT: $1409

3. 1991 Masseto Toscana IGT

You will enjoy delicate notes of cedar, black cherry, and plum on the nose with herbaceous nuances. This vintage has a medium-bodied palate with high acidity, with blackcurrant and plum notes. The dense tannins lead you to a spicy finish. 

Price of 1991 Masseto Toscana IGT: $1229

4. 2001 Masseto Toscana IGT

This Tuscan wine has a nose of honeyed wine, espresso roast, and loads of spicy oak. It has an excellent structure, moderately high acidity, and an immensely long finish. 

Price of 2001 Masseto Toscana IGT: $1352

• Also read: Looking for something fun to serve at your next event? Here’s how to make a captivating Kir Royale cocktail. 
• If bubbles aren’t what you were thinking, we suggest a charismatic Sangria instead!

5. 2004 Masseto Toscana IGT

Even though this wine’s bouquet is dominated by oak, it still manages to present lovely concentrated notes of spice.  

On the palate, you will experience ripe tannins, medium acids, and flavors of ripe berry. The long finish has undertones of chocolate, coffee, and spice. 

Price of 2004 Masseto Toscana IGT: $1134

6. 2006 Masseto Toscana IGT

This deep ruby red Tuscan wine has intense aromas of vanilla, cherries, blackcurrants, flowers, pine needles, and licorice. It is a perfectly balanced wine with a heavy-bodied structure, with massive ripe dark fruit flavors that go into a very long and refined finish. 

Price of 2006 Masseto Toscana IGT: $1173

7. 2010 Masseto Toscana IGT

This is an excellent Masseto, packed with the beautiful elegance and finesse you would expect from this winery. 

The bouquet presents delightful notes of deep fruit, sweet tobacco, delicate spice, and crisp minerality. On the palate, you will enjoy notes of chocolate, toast, and firm tannins that seem to linger forever. 

Price of 2010 Masseto Toscana IGT: $996

8. 1998 Masseto Toscana IGT

This Tuscan wine has a complex nose, with cedar, cassis, coffee, and earthy aromas backed by blackberry notes. This full-bodied wine has refined ripe tannins, with intense flavors of vanilla, ripe dark fruit, and a well-pronounced oak character. 

Price of 1998 Masseto Toscana IGT: $990

Now, as with all collectible wines, you may come across plenty of fake Massetos in the market. 

How do you make out which one is original and which one isn’t? 

How To Authenticate A Bottle Of Masseto

Each Masseto bottle that leaves the winery comes with an authentication seal. 

The seal works based on a database that is accessible to consumers and offers dual protection. 

• It confirms the bottle’s integrity and origin, and you will know if someone tampered with it.
• The seal has a “Bubble Tag,” which serves as a unique identifier, just like a fingerprint, for every bottle. This tag correlates with a QR Code and alphanumeric code. 

You can authenticate your bottle by entering your alphanumeric code or by flashing the QR Code on the Mobitag or I-Proof smartphone application.

Also read: Don’t let the wrong present spoil a celebration! Take a look at our Favorite Wine Gifts for inspiration! 

Let’s see what makes Masseto a great investment choice!

Investing in Masseto Wine

Masseto received its first 100 point score for the 2001 vintage, which sealed its fate as a collectible wine. 

However, all Massetos are difficult to get hold of due to the low production numbers (30,000 bottles per year.) The scarcity of Masseto wine and its reputation as a single-vineyard Cuvee means very high prices right out the gate. 

Masseto is also well known for its performance on the Liv-ex Italy 50 index and continually outperforms its Bolgheri neighbors. The 2003 and 2004 Masseto wines were the best performing successive vintages during 2017. They increased by 39.5% and 58.9%, respectively, over just a year. 

The brand has seen rising prices and has become tough to get hold of on release. Masseto released the 2015 vintage at $345. In 2021, the average cost per bottle is $922.

Italy’s groundbreaking Merlot is also a favorite at auctions. In a 2012 Sothebys auction, a Nebuchadnezzar (15 liters) of 2007 Masseto wine was bought by a private bidder for $49,000.

Aging Potential of Masseto Wine

You can cellar an average Merlot for 3-5 years, while an exceptional Merlot can be aged for more than 30 years. And we know that Merlots from Masseto are nowhere near average. 

Each Masseto wine always demonstrates balance, elegance, and aging potential. Axel Heinz suggests aging Masseto for around six years to let it truly shine.

There are some exceptions. For example, the 2000 vintage was ready to drink on release. But, the 2002 vintage, although a great wine to enjoy young, could develop for a decade when stored perfectly. 

But how will you know which vintage will suit your investment needs? Where should you buy from, and how should you store them?

The team at Vinovest has all the answers! 

Easily Invest In Masseto and Other Fine Wines With Vinovest

Vinovest is a world-class wine investing platform through which you can buy, sell, store, and sell your wines.

How It Works

You don’t have to be a wine expert to start investing in wines. 

Get started on a portfolio in four simple steps:

1. Sign up
2. Fill in an easy questionnaire to determine your investment style.
3. Transfer a minimum of $1,000 into your new account.
4. Grab a glass of your favorite Rose Wine and browse the ideal wines Vinovest’s algorithm has chosen for you. 

Then, sit back and watch your investment portfolio grow. 

Benefits Of Buying And Storing Your Wine Through Vinovest

A. Easy Purchasing At The Best Prices

You can buy wines from anywhere in the world with a few simple clicks - from the comfort of your home. The best part is Vinovest sources wines directly from the winemaker and trusted wine merchants at the best wholesale prices. 

B. Optimal Storage And Perfect Delivery

Don’t have any space to store your favorite Chianti wine? 

Vinovest stores your wine safely in bonded warehouses. Plus, if you want to open a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc at an event, they will deliver it to your home. 

C. Know When To Uncork Your Wine

Opening your favorite Chateauneuf du Pape or Barbera Wine at the perfect time can be tricky. But Vinovest’s team of sommeliers will let you know the ideal drinking window for your favorite vintages.

D. Insurance Coverage And Security

All of your bottles of Barbera d’asti, Pouilly Fuissé, Pomerol, and other wines are kept safe under 24/7 surveillance. Besides, Vinovest insures your wines at market value under a comprehensive policy. 

E. Provenance And Authenticity

Don’t let the worry of ending up with counterfeit wine stop you from buying a bottle of Chateau Lafite. Vinovest will double-check a wine’s origin, ownership history, and more before the money leaves your account. 

F. High Performing Portfolio Designed For You

Vinovest makes going from wine enthusiast to full-fledged client easy! With their algorithm, master sommeliers, and data scientists, the wines for your portfolio will match your investment and risk preferences.

G. Low Overall Costs

Working with Vinovest means you only pay an annual fee of 2.5% (1.9% for a portfolio of over $50,000) for all these benefits.

H. Ownership

Every bottle of wine you purchase or invest in through Vinovest 100% yours.

Add This Super Tuscan to Your Collection!

A Masseto Merlot from Bolgheri is the perfect example of a Bordeaux-style Italian wine or to improve your wine investment portfolio. 

Vinovest is your best choice if you want to add this fine wine from Tuscany or a bottle of Sassicaia to your collection without the hassles of buying, shipping, and storing them yourself.

So, sign up with Vinovest and start adding these fine red wines to your investment collection today!