2021 La Massa Giorgio Primo Toscana

The highlight in this range, the 2021 Giorgio Primo is one of the finest wines Giampaolo Motta has ever made. Vertical and explosive, with striking persistence, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. Scents of blackberry, graphite, new leather, licorice, incense and lavender are immediately alluring. Swaths of tannin and veins of acidity suggest that at least a few years of cellaring are warranted. Today the 2021 is decidedly embryonic. It was an unusual vintage marked by early-season frost, hail and then a very hot summer, which resulted in small grapes and very loose bunches. Conditions changed towards the end of the season with rain in August, followed by cooling temperatures. Harvest ran all the way to October 22, exceptionally late. The 2021 spent 20 months in French oak, 50% new.

Elegance and complexity go hand in hand in the sleek aromas of milk chocolate, black cherries, bramble fruit, incense, cocoa powder and restrained flowers. Full-bodied, it shows rare density and elegant, velvety tannins with long, refreshing acidity. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

Rich, deep dark ruby with a slight purple shimmer. Very precise and appealing nose, lots of dark currant, some blueberry, plus notes of graphite and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, fills the mouth, opens up with a lot of tannins, densely woven, pithy on the finish and with a lot of drive, still very young.