Ornellaia
Masseto Tenuta dell Ornellaia
2007
Masseto is Ornellaia's iconic single-vineyard Merlot from Bolgheri, crafted entirely from blue clay soils to produce one of Italy's most celebrated and collectible Super Tuscan wines.
Country
Italy
Region
Tuscany - Bolgheri
More information
Producer
Ornellaia is one of Italy's most celebrated Super Tuscan estates and a defining producer of Bordeaux-style wines from coastal Tuscany. Founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori in Bolgheri and now owned by the Frescobaldi family, the estate comprises 115 hectares of vineyards situated just kilometres from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Meticulous attention to parcel-specific terroir and refined winemaking has established Ornellaia as a benchmark for internationally styled fine wine, with both its flagship blend and single-vineyard Masseto achieving global recognition.
Quick Facts
- Location: Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- Founded: 1981
- Founder: Marchese Lodovico Antinori
- Ownership: Frescobaldi family (since 2005)
- Appellation: Bolgheri DOC / Bolgheri Superiore DOC
- Estate size: 115 hectares of vineyards
- Principal grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
- Soils: Diverse alluvial and volcanic deposits with marine sediments
- Grand Vin: Ornellaia
- Second wine: Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia
- Signature single vineyard: Masseto (pure Merlot)
- White wine: Ornellaia Bianco (Sauvignon Blanc-led blend)
- Style: Structured, aromatic Bordeaux-style blends with Mediterranean warmth and exceptional ageing potential
A Modern Vision in Bolgheri
Marchese Lodovico Antinori established Ornellaia in 1981 with the ambition to create wines that could rival the great growths of Bordeaux while expressing the distinctive character of Bolgheri's coastal terroir. At a time when Tuscany remained dominated by Sangiovese, Antinori planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on land near the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The estate's first vintage was released in 1985, and within a decade Ornellaia had established itself among Italy's most sought-after wines. The Frescobaldi family assumed ownership in 2005, maintaining the estate's founding philosophy while investing in vineyard management, cellar technology and long-term quality.
Coastal Terroir and Maritime Influence
Ornellaia's 115 hectares of vineyards occupy gently sloping terrain between the coastal plain and the hills east of Bolgheri. Maritime breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea, located less than five kilometres away, moderate summer heat and create diurnal temperature variation that preserves aromatic freshness and natural acidity.
The estate's soils are notably varied, comprising alluvial deposits of marine origin alongside volcanic material and areas of clay. This diversity allows Ornellaia to match each variety to its ideal site: Cabernet Sauvignon thrives on well-drained gravel and sand, while Merlot finds structure and depth in the cooler, clay-rich parcels. Parcel-by-parcel vinification allows the estate to preserve the distinctive character of each block before final blending.
The Ornellaia Blend and Masseto
The flagship Ornellaia is typically composed of 50 to 60 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in supporting roles. Proportions shift with each vintage to reflect the year's conditions, but the wine consistently expresses aromatic complexity, structured tannins and a balance between power and elegance. After fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel, the wine is aged for approximately 18 months in French oak barriques, followed by bottle maturation before release.
At the summit of the estate's portfolio stands Masseto, produced from a seven-hectare single vineyard of pure Merlot planted on dense blue clay. This monopole parcel, located within the Ornellaia estate, yields wines of remarkable concentration, silky texture and exceptional longevity. Masseto has become one of the world's most collectible wines, often mentioned alongside Pomerol's greatest estates.
A Portfolio Shaped by Precision
Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia, introduced with the 1997 vintage, is the estate's second wine and draws from younger vines and parcels that do not enter the Grand Vin. It offers earlier accessibility while reflecting the same philosophy and terroir-driven approach.
Ornellaia Bianco, a Sauvignon Blanc-led white blend with Viognier and smaller proportions of other varieties, demonstrates the estate's commitment to expressing Bolgheri's potential across styles. Fermented and aged partly in French oak, it combines aromatic intensity with structure and freshness, providing a refined counterpoint to the estate's red wines.
Country
Region
Tuscany - Bolgheri
Bolgheri is widely regarded as one of Italy's most influential wine regions and the birthplace of the Super Tuscan movement that revolutionised Italian winemaking in the late 20th century. Located on the Tuscan coast in central Italy, Bolgheri broke from traditional Italian grape varieties and classifications to produce Bordeaux-inspired blends that achieved international acclaim and redefined what Italian fine wine could be. Today the region represents the benchmark for modern Italian winemaking and produces some of the country's most collectible bottles.
The region benefits from a distinctive maritime climate influenced by the Tyrrhenian Sea, which moderates temperatures and extends the growing season. Sandy clay and gravel soils provide ideal drainage and concentration for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, while coastal breezes preserve natural acidity and freshness. Granted DOC status in 1994, Bolgheri encompasses both varietal wines and blends, with the prestigious Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC established in 2013 exclusively for Tenuta San Guido's legendary Sassicaia—Italy's first internationally recognised Super Tuscan and the wine that inspired an entire movement.
Bolgheri is home to several iconic estates that have achieved global recognition. Tenuta San Guido produces the celebrated Sassicaia, while Ornellaia, Masseto, Le Macchiole, Grattamacco and Guado al Tasso continue to produce refined and powerful wines that command respect from collectors worldwide. These producers have elevated Bolgheri to a status that rivals Bordeaux's finest appellations and established the region as synonymous with exceptional quality and visionary winemaking.
Whether exploring legendary vintages, prestigious estates or benchmark Super Tuscan blends, Bolgheri offers an exceptional journey through one of Italy's most dynamic wine regions. Discover Bolgheri wines, compare prices from trusted merchants across Europe and find the best offers with Sipfind.
Grapes
Merlot is one of the world’s most important red wine grapes, celebrated for its generous fruit, supple texture and ability to produce wines ranging from approachable and elegant to exceptionally complex and long-lived. Originating in Bordeaux, France, Merlot is particularly associated with the Right Bank, where it forms the foundation of many of the prestigious wines of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion.
Merlot typically expresses flavours and aromas of plum, black cherry, blackberry and red fruits, often developing notes of chocolate, tobacco, cedar, herbs and earthy complexity with maturation. Its naturally rounded texture and generally softer tannin profile distinguish it from Cabernet Sauvignon, although the finest examples can possess considerable structure, freshness and ageing potential.
In Pomerol, Merlot reaches some of its most celebrated expressions, particularly on the appellation’s clay-rich soils, producing wines of remarkable concentration, texture and complexity. In Saint-Émilion, it is commonly blended with Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon, creating wines that combine ripe fruit with structure, aromatic complexity and longevity.
Beyond Bordeaux, Merlot is widely cultivated in Italy, California, Washington State, Chile and other major wine regions. It can be produced as a varietal wine or used as a central component of blends, where its fruit and texture complement more structured grape varieties.
From the great Merlot-based wines of Bordeaux’s Right Bank to leading expressions around the world, Merlot’s combination of rich fruit, refined texture and capacity to express terroir has established it as one of the defining varieties of fine red wine.
History and Style
Masseto is an iconic single-vineyard cuvée produced by Ornellaia in Italy's Bolgheri DOC on the Tuscan coast. Made entirely from Merlot, this prestigious wine represents the pinnacle of Italian winemaking, drawing comparisons to the legendary Pomerols of Bordeaux while expressing a distinctly Mediterranean character.
Quick Facts
- Producer: Ornellaia
- Classification: IGT Toscana (Super Tuscan)
- Region: Tuscany
- Appellation: Bolgheri DOC
- Country: Italy
- Style: Full-bodied Super Tuscan red
- Grape Composition: 100% Merlot
- Ageing Potential: 20-30+ years from vintage
- Alcohol (ABV): 14-15%
- Tasting Profile: Blackberry, plum, dark cherry, chocolate, tobacco, Mediterranean herbs, silky tannins
- Food Pairing: Grilled meats, braised beef, wild boar, truffle dishes, aged Pecorino
- Serving Temperature: 16-18°C
- Bottle Status: Iconic Cuvée
- Vintage: Vintage-dated (varies by release)
Vineyard, Terroir and Style
The wine takes its name from the masseto—the dense blue clay soil that defines its 7-hectare vineyard plot. This unique terroir, combined with Bolgheri's maritime influence and warm Tuscan sun, creates ideal conditions for Merlot to achieve exceptional concentration and complexity. Ornellaia's meticulous viticulture and winemaking approach, including separate vinification of individual parcels and extended oak maturation, ensures that each vintage captures the essence of this remarkable site.
History and Reputation
Masseto displays remarkable depth and structure, combining intense dark fruit character with refined tannins and layers of complexity. The wine typically shows blackberry, plum and black cherry notes, complemented by nuances of chocolate, tobacco and Mediterranean herbs. Despite its power, Masseto maintains an elegant balance and silky texture that distinguishes it among the world's great Merlot-based wines.
For collectors and enthusiasts seeking benchmark Super Tuscan wines, Masseto represents an essential reference point. Use Sipfind to compare prices across premium retailers and access this iconic Bolgheri cuvée.