The 2012 vintage of Masseto brings pure Merlot magic in full force. Silky, rich, and beautifully seductive, it’s one of those wines that feels luxurious from the first sip. While it doesn’t have the firm backbone of the legendary 2001 or 2006, it more than makes up for it with lush texture and concentrated flavor. Lavender, violets, dark cherry—it’s all there, wrapped in a velvety frame. Already impressive, but a few more years in the cellar will make it even more of a showstopper.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 99
Published: Aug 05, 2015

Fantastic aromas of lavender, rosemary, violets and currants. Full body, a wonderful concentration of fruit yet tense and taunt energy. The new wood is exposed now but will become integrated and polished. Give it three or four years together. The pure merlot magic is there. The 2011 was a perfect wine, and this is very close indeed. Drink in 2019.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95
Published: Oct 30, 2015
Drink: 2017-2037

The 2012 Masseto is seductive from the first sip. The 2011 edition of this wine was very successful, and not too different in character from this wine. What the 2012 vintage offers instead is a level of textural richness and creaminess that is absolutely outstanding. The very nature of the fruit feels velvety and silky smooth, without a single ripple. The bouquet reveals upfront aromas of dark cherry and spice that are contrasted perfectly against one another. Classic vintages of Masseto include 2001 and 2006. The 2012 vintage doesn't offer the same backbone firmness as those years, but it offers lots more exuberant richness instead. Some 32,000 bottles were produced. The wine should hold forward for many, many years.

Masseto.com

To open a bottle is to unleash a liquid kaleidoscope. A rare combination of sumptuous opulence and polished elegance.
As a tribute to its rugged force, its softness, and the debt it owes to the soil from which it rises, Masseto was named after the rock-hard clusters of blue clay called ‘massi’ that form on the vineyard’s surface.

- 2012 -

2012 was a dry growing year, like 2011, with the scarcity of water already evident during a cold, dry winter.

At budbreak, which occurred normally, a water deficit of some 100mm, compared to the multi-year average, was already evident. A mild, sunny spring brought excellent vine growth, with a rapid, consistent flowering.

July and August were hot and almost rain-free, prompting fears of arrested ripening due to lack of water. In spite of this, veraison was normal and satisfactory under optimal conditions.

A few spells of rain between the end of August and beginning of September gave final momentum to the ripening, and the fruit achieved a fine overall ripeness, with optimal levels of aromatics and polyphenols.

The harvest took place between 29th August and 17th September.