Masseto Reveals the 2023 Vintage

Vibrant and balanced, the new Masseto vintage combines depth and concentration with freshness and energy.

BOLGHERI, Italy, Sept. 16, 2026 — Masseto announces the release of its 2023 vintage, available in Italy and internationally beginning October 1, 2026. Produced since 1986 from a single vineyard overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Masseto is rooted in Bolgheri's rare Pliocene-era blue clay, where coastal breezes, the light of Bolgheri and meticulous work from vineyard to cellar shape the wine vintage after vintage. The 2023 growing season began with a mild winter and a normal start to the vegetative cycle. Spring rains replenished water reserves, requiring careful selection of the vines and attention from the vineyard team. "Nature set us a challenge, which we embraced, turning it into value," explains Marco Balsimelli, Technical Director of Masseto.

The summer was bright and sunny, with no extreme peaks in temperature. The water reserves accumulated in the spring accompanied the grapes toward slow, gradual ripening, encouraging concentration and balance. Rain returned at the end of August, followed by cool nights in September. These were all invaluable conditions for developing aromatic complexity and preserving acidity and freshness, while maintaining a balance between phenolic and technological ripeness. "It was a vintage full of energy, poise and satisfaction," adds Balsimelli.

Harvest began on September 6 and concluded on October 5. Each parcel was harvested by hand, with the bunches carefully placed in 15-kilogram crates. From there, the grapes traveled only a few minutes: the Masseto winery is carved directly into the vineyard itself. Upon arrival, the bunches were destemmed and gently crushed before being transferred by gravity into concrete vats.

Each vineyard parcel was vinified separately before malolactic fermentation and aging in oak barriques, 80 percent of which were new. "Each parcel has its own voice," says Balsimelli. "We vinify them separately so that each can fully express itself. Only when the time comes to blend do these different characters come together and become Masseto." After 24 months in barriques, Masseto is bottled before returning to the quietude of the cellar, where it continues to age until the time comes for the wine to be released.

Masseto 2023 presents a deep and vibrant ruby red. The nose opens with dark, juicy fruit, followed by notes of black pepper, tobacco and graphite. On the palate, the wine shows depth, freshness, and elegance. The tannins are smooth, while the acidity brings lift and freshness. "Masseto 2023 is vibrant and balanced. A wine that already speaks with clarity and has a long future ahead," concluded Balsimelli.

ABOUT MASSETO

Masseto is the name of a wine, a vineyard and an estate unlike any other. The potential of the hillside on which the vineyard stands, along Tuscany's coast, was first recognized in the early 1980s. The first vines were planted here against all predictions, advice and local tradition. The intuition proved to be a winning one. Since then, the blue clay, cool coastal breezes and exceptional light reflected from the Tyrrhenian Sea have come together to create the unmistakable interplay of depth, elegance and complexity that defines Masseto vintage after vintage.