Masseto - Toscana IGT 1995

Masseto - Toscana IGT 1995

The grapes come mostly from the vineyard called ‘Masseto’ with some also coming from the ‘Vigna Vecchia’. Both vineyards are situated on the slopes of the Bolgheri hills within the Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Estate. The vineyards enjoy an excellent sun exposure and the soils are primarily of clay composition with some stone content.
The prevailing climate throughout 1995 was characterised by a relatively late Spring which consequently influenced the flowering of the vines. Flowering initiated on 24-25 May for the Merlot grapes. The end of June and the onset of July were somewhat cooler than the norm, followed suddenly by approximately 30 days of exceptionally hot weather. Intermittent showers commenced around the eighth of August with temperatures dropping and remaining somewhat cooler throughout the month of September.
The harvest of the Merlot took place on the 4th and 13th of September 1995. The grapes were all hand-picked and conveyed immediately to the cellars in baskets containing max 15 kg.
The grapes were totally destemmed and underwent alcoholic fermentation which lasted for a period of 10-11 days. Subsequently a prolonged maceration took place for approximately 18-20 days at a controlled temperature. Prior to the initial racking, the wine underwent gentle crushing.
Malolactic fermentation took place as soon as the wine had completed its alcoholic fermentation.
The wine was transferred to 100% new French oak barriques (mostly from Allier and Nevers) where it remained for a period of 2 years followed by a further 18 month period in the bottle prior to release.