2012 La Massa, Super Tuscan
2012 La Massa gives classic black cherry and blackberry nose with tonnes of balsamic, cedarwood, vanilla, chocolates, roast nuts. Slightly more dimension to 2014 by now, it is medium bodied(13.5% ABV). Hints of sweetness at the first sip, fruit unmasked; nose sequenced, palate structured. The finish is velvety and creamy texture. On the finish, elegant lines with a supple wild cherry character from 60% Sangiovese that enliven the 25% Merlot that add a little international swagger(a pinch of Cabernet and Alicante) you'll love it. Over time(2 hours after opening), the palate reminds tones of pork and beef jerky, returns to and is intense with some intensity and concentration. A good mid-palate, food wine. Excellent value for the score and price.
La Massa is made up of grapes from 27 hectares of vineyards, all with southern exposure in the ‘Golden Basin’ of Panzano. The vines planted at 360 meters above sea level, is on soil from a mixture of scaly clay and loose marl and limestone. The grounds fall into three distinct geological formations: an undifferentiated complex of clayey schist and calcareous marl, a structure of scaly yellow and grey marl and the third segment of large blocks or layers enclosed in a clayey matrix. The wine ages in 20 per cent new French and 80 per cent one-year-old French oak barrels for 12 months.
On websites, various sources quote that "The Fattoria La Massa estate situated in the hills of Panzano within the prestigious ‘Conca d’Oro’ (Golden Basin) of the Chianti Classico DOCG zone; the winery has been producing wine since the fifteenth century. Current owner Giampaolo Motta purchased La Massa in 1992 and bottled the first vintage of ‘Giorgio Primo’ (sold as Chianti Classico then) and immediately achieved the prestigious ‘Tre Bicchieri’ (three glasses) from the Italian wine guide Gambero Rosso. The praise of the international press has not stopped since."
Scores are impressive.
93 points James Suckling A fresh, clean red with balsamic and chocolate character, plus fresh cherry. Full body, firm tannins and a juicy finish. Ripe, generous fruit. Always outstanding from here. A polished Super Tuscan. Drink or hold. (10/2014)
93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Giampaolo Motta’s 2012 La Massa wraps cleanly around the palate, imparting sassy tones of Mexican spice, tobacco and dark berry fruit. The blend is 60% Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Alicante. The wine shows luscious dark concentration with equal billing to both the dark fruity component of the wine and its spicy, oak-driven spice. There’s a firmness to the tannins that should soften with time. I love that the bottle still shows a roasting chicken on the back label to poke fun at the Gallo Nero Chianti Classico logo. (ML) (10/2014)
