Masseto Toscana IGT 2002 – Iconic Merlot from a Challenging Vintage

🌧️ Born from Chaos. Built for Glory.

2002 was not a kind year in Tuscany. Torrential rains, cool summer temps, and widespread rot forced many wineries to skip the vintage entirely. But not Masseto. Against every odd, they rolled the dice—and delivered a wine that shocked the critics and stunned collectors.

Masseto 2002 is a lesson in obsessive precision. Extreme vineyard selection. Ruthless sorting. Micro-vinification. The result? A wine that proves why Masseto is no ordinary Merlot. This is Tuscany’s Right Bank royalty.

💬 Critic Reviews

93 Points – Wine Advocate (Antonio Galloni)
“Masseto’s 2002 is a miraculous wine given the challenges of the year. A deep, brooding expression of dark fruit, minerals, and sweet spices. Tremendous purity and elegance.”

92 Points – Wine Spectator
“Blackberry, dark chocolate, and cedar aromas follow through to a silky, rich palate. Surprisingly dense and polished for the vintage.”

93 Points – James Suckling (Retrospective)
“Delicate and refined, with balsamic notes, fresh acidity, and understated power. A Masseto that whispers instead of roars—but still commands the room.”

🍷 Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep garnet with fading brick at the rim

• Nose: Black cherry, balsamic, graphite, cedar, and savory herbs

• Palate: Medium to full-bodied with silky tannins, earthy minerality, and a layered core of black fruit and leather

• Finish: Long and contemplative, with lingering spice and a hint of Tuscan soil

🧬 The Legend of Masseto

Masseto is a single-vineyard Merlot from the Bolgheri coast, produced with Bordeaux precision and Italian flair. Owned by Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, but very much its own beast, Masseto has become one of the most sought-after wines in the world, often compared to Château Pétrus.

In 2002, the team risked their reputation on making this wine. That gamble? Paid off in liquid gold.

📦 Wine Specs

• Varietal: 100% Merlot

• Region: Bolgheri, Toscana IGT

• Producer: Tenuta dell'Ornellaia – Masseto

• Vintage: 2002

• ABV: 13.5%

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Cellaring: Now–2030 (at peak maturity)

🍽️ Pairing Royalty

• Dry-aged ribeye with truffle butter

• Roasted duck with cherry glaze

• Aged Parmigiano or Pecorino

• Decanter, soft jazz, and a room full of silence

This isn’t just wine.
It’s survival. Skill. Legend.

Secure your bottle of Masseto 2002 — because miracles like this don’t stay on the shelf for long.