Vineyards and winemaking
Giorgio Primo comes from La Massa's vineyards in Panzano's Conca d'Oro, where altitude and limestone-rich soils give Bordeaux varieties both concentration and a fresh mineral backbone. The 2011 blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.
The grapes were harvested by hand, passed through two stages of selection and moved by gravity into temperature-controlled vats for spontaneous fermentation. Eighteen months in French oak barriques, approximately 80% new, built structure and polish around the concentrated fruit.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep garnet-ruby with a dark core and lightly evolved rim.
Nose
Blackcurrant, prune and plum are layered with tobacco, iodine, dried herbs and polished cedar.
Palate
Rich and concentrated, with dark fruit, firm polished tannins and measured acidity. Smoke, dark chocolate and mineral notes give depth to the persistent, structured finish.
Food pairing
Pair with fillet steak and chips, slow-roast lamb with anchovy and garlic, braised featherblade, or a mushroom and blue-cheese suet pudding. Decant for an hour and serve at 16–18°C.
Background story
Giampaolo Motta acquired Fattoria La Massa at Panzano in 1992 after moving from Naples to Tuscany and gaining experience in both Bordeaux and Chianti. The estate occupies the Conca d'Oro, or Golden Basin, with Stéphane Derenoncourt advising on vineyard and cellar work since 2008.
Giorgio Primo is La Massa's flagship Bordeaux-variety wine and expresses Giampaolo's conviction that Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot can excel in this Tuscan basin. The 2011 received 92 points from Falstaff and 91 from Wine Spectator. It is mature but remains structured, with scope to hold in a sound cellar.
