1999 Masseto Toscana IGT

The clayish soils in themselves represent all the contradictions: A capacity to store great amounts of water, and to release it very gently. A soil that is cold and wet in a rainy year but gets hard as a rock during a dry summer, creating a shear physical barrier to the roots that struggle to go deep down into the subsoil. A soil in which, with a low planting density, a level of vigor is achieved that would normally be expected from a high-density vineyard.

Winter was slightly colder than in 1998, with budbreak delayed until around late March. During spring temperatures and rains were within the norm, with flowering and growth similar to the previous year. Flowering took place at the end of May. The excellent climate during late spring resulted in a better-thanaverage fruit set. A hot summer without rain led to veraison one week earlier than in previous vintages, with very consistent fruit.

The bunches, hand harvested in 15kg crates, were selected by hand on a double sorting table before and after destemming and then subjected to soft crushing. Fermentation took place in concrete tanks, small portions of vineyards in barrel at temperatures between 25 and 30°C. Maceration times ranged from 21 to 28 days. Malolactic fermentation began in 100% new oak barrique barrels, while keeping the various lots separate for the first 12 months of ripening.

After blended the wine was reintroduced once again into the barrels for another year, for a total of 24 months. As usual, Masseto 2018 was given another 12 months in bottle before being released on the market.

Third in a triptych of iconic vintages, Masseto 1999 is another great wine that, like the 1998, is following a parabola of very slow evolution. A wine of concentration, smoothness, and power. It seemed, for many years, monolithic and closed. Today, however, it seems to have awakened, and the once-impetuous tannins have mellowed, making way for a broad, expansive silky weave. The aromatic complexity of a mature wine is slowly building, displaying those sensuous fragrances classic to warm vintages, with dark chocolate, black liquorice, and candied violets. In conclusion, it is a wine that could still have some surprises in store for us and emerge as one of the great Masseto. Patience however will be required, since it is still very young and has much life ahead.