Tenuta dell`Ornellaia Masseto 1995

Tasting note: Tenuta dell'Ornellaia - Masseto 1995

Appearance

A deep, concentrated garnet red with shimmering copper and teakwood reflections on the rim - a testimony to mature dignity. The colour looks like an old velvet curtain, interspersed with narrow streaks of light that testify to immaculate clarity despite its age. Viscous "tears" on the glass reveal a still dense texture.

Nose

A bouquet of aristocratic depth: dried plums, mulberry jam and dried figs mingle with tertiary aromas of truffle, damp leather and tobacco leaf. Underneath, exotic spices - cloves, sandalwood, a pinch of roasted vanilla - and a smoky undercurrent unfold, as if an oak barrel is burning in the distance. Over time, delicate notes of balsamic vinegar, dried violets and a mineral coolness reminiscent of the salty tang of the Tuscan coast are added.

Flavour

A texture of velvety authority unfolds on the palate. The once robust tannins are now completely transformed into silk, carried by a precise, lively acidity. Layers of blackcurrant, plum jam and dark chocolate flavours combine with nuances of cigar box, toasted almond wood and an umami depth reminiscent of reduced game jus with truffle. The terroir announces itself with a salty minerality - a hint of iodised sea breeze and warm claystone - which gives the wine a cool, almost sculptural structure.

Finish

The finish is of majestic length and complexity. Flavours of roasted coffee, liquorice and a delicate bitterness reminiscent of dark cocoa nibs linger for minutes. The mineral character dominates at the end, accompanied by a hint of dried herbs and the memory of a warm autumn forest.

Overall judgement

The Masseto 1995 is a wine of quiet grandeur - a Merlot that masterfully embodies the balance between Tuscan sunshine and Bolgherian coolness. Despite its age, it radiates a youthful vitality, supported by a structure reminiscent of the pillars of a Renaissance villa: powerful but elegant. A wine that is not drunk, but interpreted - a testimony to its time that tells of patience and dedication.

Score: 96/100
Drinking maturity:At its peak - open now to experience its mature splendour, or age for another 8-15 years to release further nuances.

Drinking recommendation:
Serve at 16-18°C in large Bordeaux glasses, decant carefully to separate deposit. Ideal with wild boar with truffle risotto, mature pecorino al tartufo or a dark lamb ragout with olives and rosemary. A wine for moments that inspire awe.

"A Masseto that outwits time - an ode to the alchemy of terroir and perseverance."

Background:The 1995 vintage in Tuscany was characterised by a warm but unpredictable summer that demanded discipline during the harvest. Masseto nevertheless succeeded in creating a wine of rare balance - proof that even in "transitional years" greatness is possible when craftsmanship and terroir harmonise.