The 2017 vintage began with a particularly mild winter with temperatures over two degrees higher than the seasonal averages and with scarce rainfall. This trend continued during the spring and the vines budded about two weeks sooner than usual. The  rains at the beginning of May allowed an important hydration of the soil allowing the plants not to suffer particularly from the sudden rise in temperatures in June and July. During the summer months was fundamental reduce soil dehydration to a minimum in order to maintain humidity as much as possible to an advantage of regular vegetative development. The rain of August 10 and the rain of early September allowed a new important hydration during the parentheses after the previous months. The harvest started early with the first Merlots, continuing until the last week of September in sunny and warm weather. In the middle of the month the rains finally arrived to cool the temperature, creating excellent conditions for late vines.

La Massa’s entry-level “La Massa” Super Tuscan is a blend of Sangiovese with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante. Grown in La Massa’s idyllic “Conca d’Oro” estate, the wine gives a sneak peek into the potential of this producer’s high end wines.

Winemaker Notes

This full-bodied, energetic red from the Chianti Classico region of Panzano combines warm richness with balance and length that makes it widely popular year after year. Winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt, one of Bordeaux’s most renowned winemakers, crafts the wine with Bordeaux influences including aging in French oak, 20% new, to produce a luscious mouth-feel. This wine is one of the best values in the market place.