There are a handful of Italian wines whose reputations have moved beyond their appellations and into the highest tier of global fine wine. Masseto is one of them. Produced from a tiny seven-hectare vineyard on the Tuscan coast, this 100% Merlot has become one of Italy’s true blue-chip collectibles, regularly mentioned alongside the greatest Merlot-based wines of Bordeaux. The 2015 is one of its landmark modern releases, earning a perfect 100 points from Wine Advocate and 99 points from both Vinous and James Suckling.

Masseto exists because of an extraordinary piece of terroir. Its vineyard sits in Bolgheri, where Merlot is rooted in unusually dense blue-grey clay formed millions of years ago. The vineyard is divided into three distinct sections, each contributing something different to the final wine. The dense clay of Masseto Centrale provides its formidable structure and concentration, while the surrounding parcels bring additional aromatic complexity and balance. It is this marriage of Merlot and clay that has defined Masseto since the wine first emerged in the 1980s.

The 2015 growing season gave the estate exceptional material. A hot, dry July created concentration, but perfectly timed August rain restarted ripening and ushered in cooler conditions through harvest. The result is a Masseto of tremendous scale without excess. Blackberry, black cherry, plum, and cassis unfold into violet, cocoa, cedar, tobacco, balsamic herbs, graphite, and dark spice. The palate is immensely concentrated, yet the tannins are polished and remarkably seamless, with enough freshness underneath the richness to keep the wine precise.

Monica Larner awarded the 2015 a perfect 100 points and described it as combining the exuberance of 2004 and 2007 with the power and linearity of 2010. Antonio Galloni called it “simply extraordinary,” awarding 99 points and praising a level of harmony he had rarely encountered in a young Masseto. More than a decade after harvest, the 2015 is only beginning to reveal what made it so extraordinary from the start. For the serious Italian collector, this is one of the defining bottles of modern Tuscany.

Critical Acclaim:

100 Points, Wine Advocate — Monica Larner:
“The 2015 vintage is characterized by a level of sheer exuberance that also defined the 2004 and 2007 vintages.”

99 Points, Vinous — Antonio Galloni:
“The 2015 Masseto is simply extraordinary. Soft, silky and seamless, the 2015 possesses remarkable balance and harmony from the very first taste.”

99 Points, James Suckling:
“The aromas are profound here with a deep and vast character of black olives, cedar, chocolate and berries.”

Why You’ll Love It

• Masseto is one of Italy’s true blue-chip wines, a pure Merlot from a singular clay-rich vineyard in Bolgheri that has become one of the world’s most collectible expressions of the variety.
• The 2015 earned 100 points from Wine Advocate, 99 from Vinous, 99 from James Suckling, and 98 from Wine Spectator, an extraordinary consensus for an already legendary estate.
• Ten years from harvest, the wine is beginning to develop additional complexity while retaining the concentration, tannic structure, and freshness to evolve for decades.

Provenance Guarantee

This wine comes with an unimpeachable provenance:

• Purchased Ex Chateau En Primeur in 2017
• Released between June 2018 and March 2019
• Stored at Dartess in Bordeaux
• Transferred to London City Bond in February 2020
• Kept in original packaging, undisturbed case

Impeccable Provenance

These wines were acquired through an approved Bordeaux négociant as futures in 2017. Upon release between June 2018 and March 2019, they were stored at Dartess in Bordeaux before being transferred to London City Bond in February 2020. Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of Bordeaux history. With limited quantities available, these wines represent the perfect gift for the discerning oenophile or a treasured addition to any cellar.