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La Massa
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Wines ( overview ):
- La Massa - IGT Toscana
- Giorgio Primo - IGT Toscana
Latest reviews
Wine Advocate #196 (Aug 2011)
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La Massa 2009 - Rating: 90 pts
The 2009 La Massa flows from the glass with layers of freshly cut flowers,
dark red berries and subtle French oak. This radiant red from Chianti
Classico’s famed Conca d’Oro impresses for its open personality and inner
palate juiciness. This is a striking wine from La Massa and proprietor
Giampaolo Motta. In 2009 Motta opted for relatively short fermentations of
12-15 days for his Sangiovese. The blend was 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and
10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. Antonio Galloni
Never satisfied, the relentless Giampaolo Motta continues to push the
envelope at La Massa. Vintage 2009 is the first in which he worked with
Stephan Derenoncourt for the entire harvest. The entry-level La Massa, now a
showcase for the estate’s Sangiovese, is made with a shorter fermentation
and an eye on finesse more than the heft of previous years. Over the last
few years Motta has restyled Giorgio Primo to focus on Cabernet Sauvignon.
Unfortunately I was not able to taste the 2009, but I did revisit the 2007
and 2008. Motta describes 2009 as an important vintage. Cool weather and
rain allowed the fruit to recover from the intense August heat. Vintage 2008
was a year of average heat and sun, with rain during the harvest that
required a focus on the best-exposed parcels. Motta is quite candid that he
isn’t fully satisfied with how some of his earlier wines have aged. With
this amount of dedication it is only a matter of time before Motta finds an
approach he is happier with.
Wine Spectator - October 31, 2010 issue
Giorgio Primo 2008 - - 94 points
“A structured but balanced red. The polished, silky tannins caress the palate and deliver beautiful fruit, with plenty of currant, black olive and licorice character. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best after 2013.” – J.S.
La Massa 2008 - 90 points
Full-bodied, with gorgeous aromas of crushed raspberru and cassis, fine tannins and an attractive finish. There's very attractive balance to this. Best after 2010. –JS
The Wine Advocate #191 October 2010 Issue
- La Massa 2008 - 91 points
Wine Advocate: #184, August 31, 2009 - Antonio Galloni
- La Massa 2007 - 91 points
- Giorgio Primo 2006 - 94 points / Giorgio Primo 2007 - (91-94) points
Wine Spectator - October 31, 2009
Giorgio Primo 2007 - N° 27 of Wine spectator’s Top 100 of 2009 - 97 points
“Dark and brooding, with intense aromas of lead pencil, blackberry, black cherry and licorice. Full-bodied with velvety, polished tannins, followed by vanilla, berry and currant on the finish. Powerful and complex. Built like a brick house. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best after 2013.” – J.S.
La Massa 2007 - 91 points
Delicate, subtle aromas of Indian spices, berries and flowers follow through to a full body, with fine, silky tannins and a fresh, caressing finish. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best after 2011. 8,300 cases made. –JS
Wine Advocate: Issue 184, August 31, 2009 - Antonio Galloni
- La Massa 2007 - 91 points
- Giorgio Primo 2006 - 94 points / Giorgio Primo 2007 - (91-94) points
La Massa 2006 - 31st place in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2008
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Map of the area
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Giampaolo Motta was born and raised in Naples and was destined to work in the family's leather business.
Giampaolo however, had a different idea of how to live his life. He is a decisive and determined individual. While touring various properties in Tuscany in the early 90's, he came upon a spot that made him stand still - he had found his new home.
Replanting vineyards with Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot were only the beginning of the challenges Giampaolo accepted when he bought La Massa. He has now realized the best expression of Sangiovese is used in the blend of La Massa, where as from the 2007 vintage, blending the most perfect grapes of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot are reserved for his icon wine, Giorgio Primo."
His wines, La Massa and Giorgio Primo, stand out today as some of Italy's finest expressions of these noted varietals. And Giampaolo has only just begun.
Wine Advocate: Issue 184, August 31, 2009 - Antonio Galloni
Proprietor Giampaolo Motta is one of the most passionate, driven producers in Tuscany. Seemingly never content with his wines, he continues to ratchet up quality in a meaningful way. The 2007 vintage brings with it a few significant changes, first and foremost the elimination of Sangiovese from the top of the line Giorgio Primo.
Motta has never been fully satisfied with the way Sangiovese ages, so he has opted to use all of his Sangiovese in the entry-level La Massa, and use only his finest Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot for Giorgio Primo.
This means that production of La Massa (the wine) will nearly double to 100,000 bottles, while production of Giorgio Primo will drop significantly to about 20,000 bottles.
Clearly, this is a huge hit to top-line revenues in the short-term as prices will remain unchanged, at least while economic conditions are soft. It is only a matter of time before prices increase for Giorgio Primo, so fans of this wine will want to give the 2007 special consideration.
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Owners:
Giampaolo Motta
Winemaker:
Giampaolo Motta
Wine consultant:
Stéphane Derenoncourt
Total Acres:
25 hectares
Soil:
Primarly scaly clay and marl
Varietals Planted:
Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, 3000 plants of of Petit Verdot
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Wines in brief
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La Massa - IGT Toscana
Grapes: Sangiovese (60%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%)
Vintage: 2008
Production: 105.000 bottles
Bottle size: 750 ml
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Giorgio Primo - IGT Toscana
Grapes: SMerlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) and Petit Verdot (10%)
Vintage: 2007
Production: 18.000 bottles
Bottle size: 750 ml, 1500ml, 3000ml
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Contact info:
Fattoria La Massa
Via Case Sparse 9, localitŕ La Massa
50020 Panzano in Chianti - Firenze - Italy
Tel: +39 055 852 722
Fax: +39 055 852 722
Web:
e-mail:
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