Tenuta dell`Ornellaia Masseto 1993 MAGNUM 1500ml

Tasting note: Tenuta dell'Ornellaia - Masseto 1993

Appearance

A deep, velvety garnet red with shimmering amber tones on the rim - a sign of mature elegance. The colour appears to be interwoven with ageing velvet, with delicate copper and mahogany reflections. Despite the three decades, the liquid is clear and lively, with slowly gliding "tears" that tell of lingering density.

Nose

A bouquet of aristocratic complexity: ripe plums, dried mulberries and preserved cherries meld with tertiary flavours of truffle, leather and damp tobacco. Underneath, exotic spices - cloves, sandalwood and a hint of roasted vanilla - unfold, accompanied by a smoky undertone, as if an oak barrel were burning in the distance. Over time, delicate hints of dried violets, balsamic vinegar and a mineral coolness reminiscent of freshly polished granite are added.

Flavour

A powerful yet harmonious texture unfolds on the palate. The once powerful tannins are now silky smooth and play around a lively acidity that gives the wine youthful vigour. Layers of blackcurrant, fig confectionery and cocoa combine with noble notes of cigar box, dark chocolate and an umami depth reminiscent of reduced game jus. The terroir of the Tuscan coast makes itself known with a salty minerality - a hint of iodised sea breeze and warm claystone.

Finish

The finish is majestically long and warm. Flavours of roasted nuts, coffee and a delicate bitterness reminiscent of dark cocoa nibs linger for minutes. The mineral character remains present until the last breath, surrounded by a barely perceptible sweetness, like the last chord of a cello concerto.

Overall judgement

The Masseto 1993 is a monument to the art of Tuscan viticulture - a Merlot that wears its origin and age with pride. Despite what is considered a "challenging" vintage*, it combines power and grace to create a wine of almost meditative depth. Time has transformed its angular tannins into silk, but the structure remains impressively present. A wine that is not just drunk, but experienced - a dialogue between transience and eternity.

Score: 96/100
Drinking maturity: At the peak of its development - open now to savour its fullness, or age patiently for another 5-10 years.

Drinking recommendation:
Serve at 16-18°C in large Bordeaux glasses, decant gently to separate deposit. Ideal with wild boar ragout with truffle polenta, mature pecorino or a dark, spiced lamb curry. A wine for quiet evenings and big questions.

"A Masseto that proves that true greatness does not depend on the vintage, but on the courage of the winemaker to think the impossible."

Background: 1993 was a year with a cool spring and wet autumn in Tuscany, which demanded discipline in the selection process. Masseto nevertheless succeeded in creating an icon - proof of the magic of the Bolgheri terroir.