Masseto - Massetino - 2018 | Italian Red Wine

The 2019 growing season was characterised by a highly variable climate, which alternated periods of cold and rain with long bouts of drought and heat. After a rather normal winter, budding took place during the first week of April. Cold and rainy conditions throughout April and May considerably slowed down the development of the vegetation, delaying flowering up to 10 days later than usual. In June, the climate suddenly turned hot and dry, with peak temperatures of 37°C reached at the end of the month. All summer long the weather remained hot and sunny, with temperatures 2°C higher than average and 45 consecutive days without rain. In the last week of July, the long period of drought was interrupted by two days of rain, bringing back the temperature to the seasonal norm, with ideal conditions for grape ripening. After another set of rain showers at the beginning of the month, Merlot harvest began on 5th September with the young vines and went on until 20th September under perfect conditions. Harvest was completed with the Cabernet franc on 1st October.