Tasting Notes
Vinous 99
The 2006 Masseto remains the greatest wine made at this now iconic Bolgheri estate. When it was young, the 2006 was a powerhouse, but over the last few years a more elegant, restrained side of the wine has begun to emerge. The tannins remain sinewy and intense, but at the same time, there is a purity and overall brightness in the flavors that ensure the 2006 will drink beautifully for another twenty years or so. Sweet floral and spiced notes invite a second taste, and then a third in a wine that captures the pedigree of Merlot and this privileged site on the Tuscan Coast.
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036
Robert Parker 100
The wine that most delighted me at this historic tasting of Tuscany’s most iconic wines was the 2006 Masseto. This is a wine of sheer power, bliss, opulence, infinity and sublime seduction. This Merlot-based masterpiece hits all your senses with the grace of a ballerina and the power of a heavyweight. It is steady on its proverbial feet, but it also glides over the palate with a profound sense of elegance, harmony and rhythm. Among the prized vintages of Masseto, including 2001, 2004 and 2007, this edition is my favorite. The wine delivers an extra sense of tightness or firmness at the back that serves to stitch together its fleshy richness and general sumptuousness. The personality is sunny, expansive, articulate and sophisticated. You’ll remember that the 2006 vintage is celebrated for the elegance of its wines. In the coastal Bolgheri appellation, it is also remembered for the power of its wines. You get the best of both worlds with this stunning creation: elegance and power. These traits are particularly well suited to the versatile grape variety at the heart of this Tuscan all-rounder. This is a true Renaissance wine.
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2040