Masseto - Toscana IGT 1996

Masseto - Toscana IGT 1996

The grapes come from the vineyard called ‘Masseto’ and ‘Vigna Vecchia’ 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 of clay composition with some stone content.
The Spring of 1996 had below average temperatures which caused a delay in budding. The Merlot variety budded 24/25 May. Temperatures in the summer were fairly stable but not excessively hot. Around mid August there was some rain which caused some delay in ripening. Temperatures however increased noticeably at the beginning of September enabling the grapes to fully ripen. The harvest was carried out between 8-12 September by hand, and attention was given to a careful grape selection. The grapes brought to the cellars were in excellent condition with 23-25 degrees brix.
The grapes were destemmed and gently pressed and introduced into wooden fermentors where maceration took place over a period of 18-20 days and during which time the wine completed its alcoholic fermentation at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. The wine was then racked and introduced into new French oak barriques where it completed its malolactic fermentation and remained for a period of 24 months, followed by a further 12 months in the bottle before release.