|
|
|
Evolution- a process of slow change and development.
It’s been fun watching the evolution of Fattoria La Massa, a 65-acre vineyard which enjoys a southern exposure in the famed Conca d’Oro (Golden Basin) of Panzano. This Route des Grands Crus in Chianti Classico also includes such other luminaries as Fontodi and Castello dei Rampolla. Essentially, a half dozen of Italy’s greatest wines are made in this tiny little sub-zone.
Fattoria La Massa proprietor Giampaolo Motta (along with Castello di Ama and several others) made a big push at the turn of the millennium to turn the whole of Chianti Classico into something more, hoping to re-establish the area as a higher end force in the wine industry. Unfortunately, he didn't get the support he needed from the Chianti Classico Consorzio, leaving his wine the odd man out as other producers lowered prices in the scramble for market share. Chucked under the bus for sure!
On top of that, at around the same time the Italian wine bureaucrats finally figured out what to technically call a "Super-Tuscan", creating the I.G.T Toscana (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) moniker just as Motta was pushing for increased quality from his fellow growers in Chianti Classico. Since those growers now had an official designation for their 'alternative' wines, there was less of a need to push the envelope with Chianti Classico seen as many producers felt one could only charge so much for a wine with that designation. Burned again.
But out of this conflagration, a phoenix emerged from Giampaolo’s marketing ashes. Hells Bells, if the folks in Chianti don’t care about the reputation of Chianti Classico, why should he?
So, he got even.
In conjunction with his good friend and Bordeaux wine guru, Stephane Derenoncourt, Giampaolo decided to produce non-Chianti Classico wines from his privileged soils, using both classic Tuscan grapes and Bordeaux grapes. The result? The wines effortlessly vaulted to recognition in their respective price points…immediately. That’ll show ’em!
|
|
|
We’re featuring the latest release of Giampaolo’s value play as our offer today, and are stoked to do so. Always a darling of the critics, the 2016 Fattoria La Massa I.G.T. Toscana seems to have upped its game yet again in this greatest of vintages.
It pulled in a big 93-point score from both James Suckling and Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner again this vintage.
Monica wrote, “The 2016 La Massa is a terrific blend of 65% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon available at an accessible price...The results are surprisingly complex and profound, although the wine's best asset is the fresh and straightforward approach it makes, especially on the palate. That inner depth will give this wine some proper aging potential I should expect. This vintage shows lots of tension and dimension. 93 points.”
Suckling noted, “This shows some really impressive, herbal complexity, spanning a whole spectrum of rosemary and pine needles, before tile, crushed stones, blackcurrants and bay leaves enter the picture. The polish to the firm yet generous tannins captivates, as does the precision to the acidity and long finish. 93 points.”
And, of course, Antonio Galloni loved it again, writing, “Grilled herb, leather, menthol, plum and blueberry notes literally explode from the glass as this extroverted wine shows off its flamboyant personality. The 2016 offers superb aromatic intensity, vibrant fruit and exceptional balance. In today's world, La Massa is also an exceptional value Don't miss it! 92 points.”
At this juncture, I think it’s almost needless to say that, at $19.98, the La Massa IGT 2016 represents one of the single greatest wine values not just from Tuscany, but the whole frigging country of Italy!
Giampaolo has certainly taught Chianti Classico a thing or two. Mess with the bull, and you get the horns…
|
|
|
93 Points! The 2016 La Massa is a terrific blend of 65% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon available at an accessible price. Alicante Bouschet was used in the blend until last year but has now been removed. The results are surprisingly complex and profound, although the wine's best asset is the fresh and straightforward approach it makes, especially on the palate. That inner depth will give this wine some proper aging potential I should expect. This vintage shows lots of tension and dimension. The warm 2015 vintage shows sunny softness, but 2016 has more overall freshness. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com
|
|
|
COMPANY
© 2019 WINE EXCHANGE
|
|
CONTACT INFO
1544 East Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA
PHONE: 1-800-769-4639
FAX: 714-979-1520
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
