2016<br />As is often the case in recent years, the winter of 2016 was characterised by unusually warm weather with heavy rainfall in February. Budding arrived on time in the last<br />week of March. The abundance of water in the soil and the warm weather in April favoured rapid and normal vegetative growth of the vines. In May, temperatures returned to<br />normal, slowing growth slightly and leading to flowering in the last week of May in dry, sunny weather, perfect for good fruit set. Summer temperatures were normal with very<br />little rain causing considerable water stress towards the end of the ripening phase. The usual mid-August storms were also absent, prolonging the water stress throughout<br />the early part of the harvest. Fortunately, the remarkably cool temperatures during the night allowed the vines to recover from the heat of the day. Maturation proceeded<br />smoothly with excellent phenolic potential and a balanced sugar/acid ratio. The harvest began on 24 August with the youngest vines. In September, the few rainfalls provided<br />the soil with sufficient water to complete the harvest in practically perfect conditions. The older vines of the 'Masseto centrale' benefited from this situation, continuing their<br />ripening until the third week of September. The last plots were harvested on 20 September.<br />TASTING NOTES: 2016 was a textbook year for Masseto, with a typically Tuscan coastal climate that saw a dry and sunny growing season, with plenty of sunshine and<br />just the right amount of rain for perfect ripeness. The 2016 has a particularly intense young colour, and on the nose the intense aroma of ripe dark fruit blends with subtle<br />notes of cocoa and spices. On the palate, the rich, dense structure of ripe, silky tannins is balanced by a sensual, vibrant fruit note and lively acidity that keeps the long<br />finish clean and full-bodied.<br />
Price
€1,259.00
