Masseto
Toscana Merlot
Tuscany, Italy
Masseto 2022
· First impression & decanting: It was my first time trying Masseto. Since it’s a young wine, I put half the bottle into a decanter and kept the other half for the next day. It only started to open up after about an hour of decanting, showing dark fruit aromas.
· Second-day explosion: On the second day, the aroma fully opened up. I poured just a little into the glass, and the aroma instantly filled the entire bowl. Intense blackberry and plum, with hints of tobacco and cocoa.
· Palate: Tannins are velvety smooth; full-bodied, with good acidity and plenty of power.
· Summary: A very classic top-tier “Super Tuscan.” In its youth it is very tight and needs a lot of patience with decanting or further aging. But once fully open, it is absolutely stunning.
Gaja Gaia & Rey 2022
· Aroma: Fresh citrus, white peach, and pear, with light oak-derived notes of toast, vanilla, and minerality.
· Palate: Round and full-bodied, with a distinct creamy texture, bright acidity, and a clean, mineral finish.
· Summary: A very elegant top Italian Chardonnay. Excellent balance—it retains fresh fruit while showing the complexity of oak aging. Drinking perfectly now.
One-line summary: One red, one white; one powerful, one elegant—a fantastic pairing!
Masseto 2022
· First impression & decanting: It was my first time trying Masseto. Since it’s a young wine, I put half the bottle into a decanter and kept the other half for the next day. It only started to open up after about an hour of decanting, showing dark fruit aromas.
· Second-day explosion: On the second day, the aroma fully opened up. I poured just a little into the glass, and the aroma instantly filled the entire bowl. Intense blackberry and plum, with hints of tobacco and cocoa.
· Palate: Tannins are velvety smooth; full-bodied, with good acidity and plenty of power.
· Summary: A very classic top-tier “Super Tuscan.” In its youth it is very tight and needs a lot of patience with decanting or further aging. But once fully open, it is absolutely stunning.
Gaja Gaia & Rey 2022
· Aroma: Fresh citrus, white peach, and pear, with light oak-derived notes of toast, vanilla, and minerality.
· Palate: Round and full-bodied, with a distinct creamy texture, bright acidity, and a clean, mineral finish.
· Summary: A very elegant top Italian Chardonnay. Excellent balance—it retains fresh fruit while showing the complexity of oak aging. Drinking perfectly now.
One-line summary: One red, one white; one powerful, one elegant—a fantastic pairing!