One bottle of Masseto
Produced by Tenuta dell‘Ornellaia
1995 vintage
Bolgheri, Tuscany/Italy
Original filling quantity: 0.75 l
Fill level: into neck
Robert Parker (1999): 91/100
Wine Spectator (2004): 94/100
Antonio Galloni (2011): 94/100

This lot comprises one bottle of 1995 vintage Masseto from Tenuta dell’Ornellaia in Bolgheri.

Bolgheri is a small town in the Maremma, the southern part of Tuscany, which gained recognition for its role in the revival of Italian premium red wine. Historically, the wine-growing country is hardly steeped in heritage, especially when compared to Chianti, however pioneer vintners triggered a new era of Italian premium winegrowing here at the end of the 1960s. Wines including Tignanello, Sassicaia and Orenellaia were produced by members of Tuscan wine dynasty Antinoir in Bolgheri. These wines were not like traditional Sangiovese regarding taste and structure, but rather characteristic of French types, such as Merlot, Cabernet and, later, Syrah. They were therefore initially only allowed to be marketed as Vini da Tavola. However, these wines were more than just fashionable, they established a new notion of taste and style for Tuscan red wine. Their immense success led to them being recognized as DOC wines during the 1990s. Their style of winegrowing was also innovative – they used barriques, small wooden oak barrels, which was not usual for Tuscany. The best of these Super Tuscans have proved to be of stable value and long-lasting.

1995 was a fine vintage in Tuscany and Piedmont, leading to the creation of some great wines, the best of which are now at their peak, albeit in small numbers.

The 1995 Masseto was rated 91 points by Robert Parker in 1999. It was rated 94 points by James Suckling for Wine Spectator in 2004. Antonio Galloni also rated the wine 94 points in Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate in 2011.

The fill level is excellent (into neck). The label and capsule are in perfect condition.