The thread of potent, warm-vintage Massetos continues with the 2009. Dense, opulent and unctuous to its core, the 2009 is a decidedly flamboyant wine with huge fruit density and equally big tannins. Black plum, bittersweet chocolate, menthol and dark spices all build with time in the glass. The 2009 is not at all subtle, but it is pretty delicious. Warm, dry weather, with narrow diurnal shifts, resulted in a harvest that took place over 8 days, from September 2 to 10. 94+pts AG Jan 2020

Sexy and muscular. Blackberries, licorice and tar on the nose. Bark, earth, and spice as well. Super subtle. Full-bodied, with super chewy tannins and a wonderful line. So beautiful. Creamy tannins. A baby 2001. Try in 2016.

If you've ever wondered what makes this wine so special, the answer is simple: elegance. This shows polished fruit and spice aromas that are intense, balanced and beautifully integrated. The blend is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance made up of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The palate is dense, rich, smooth and supple. Drink this after 2018.

Good full ruby. Superripe, pure aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet, minerals, milk chocolate and exotic spices. Superconcentrated, rich and seamless, offering explosive sweetness but also great verve, thanks to bright acidity that provides wonderful lift and clarity to the blackberry, blueberry and black cherry flavors. Finishes with ultra-suave tannins and a kaleidoscope of violet and Oriental spice flavors. A very great Masseto from a hot year, when I would have expected the merlot to suffer a bit. But unlike in 2003, when it wasn't just hot but dry as well, Masseto's unique microclimate allowed the merlot to avoid major stress in 2009. As good and refined as the Ornellaia is in 2009, I think the Masseto has an extra layer of complexity and depth. Ian D'Agata Vinous.com Sept 2012

A perfumed Masseto, expressing fresh and dried dark berry aromas along with some violet. In the mouth it's vertical, saline and intense, with some black tea and tobacco framing sapid hedgerow berries. The finish is pleasantly long and fresh but it's still quite tightly wound and needs a bit more time to open up. ‘One of our hottest vintages’, says production director Marco Balsimelli. ‘We started harvest on 2 September – which was early then, but now it is normal.’ The presence of the Sirocco wind blowing warm air up from Africa resulted in higher nighttime temperatures and some of the fruit began to wither, resulting in more concentration in the wine. But this warm year shows itself in the slightly astringent tannins; not quite as refined and supple as the finest vintages.

The 2009 Masseto bursts from the glass with dark red berries, blackberries, flowers, licorice and tar. It shows lovely up-front juiciness and expressive inner perfume in a surprisingly accessible style for this wine. Like the Ornellaia, the 2009 Masseto has quite a bit of freshness, although it, too, is medium-bodied in structure. In this vintage the Ornellaia team was especially selective and only used part of the three vineyards that typically go into Masseto. I have been fortunate to taste every vintage of Masseto, most more than once recently. Masseto has a great track record for aging, even in the smallest, least promising of vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. AG

One of the hottest vintages and one of the earliest. They started to pick on 2 September which is normal now when they start in late August but it wasn’t in 2009. The sirocco warmed things from the south and can sometimes bring sand from Africa. Warm nights and there was a threat of the grapes raisining so the tannin and acid are concentrated. Dark, glowing, velvety dark garnet. Very intense nose with an almost burnt edge. Not totally unlike the 2003 bordeaux. Thie is like essence of Masseto. Slightly drying finish. A tad dried out but it’s certainly opulently sweet. (JR)