La Massa Giorgio Primo 2008

"This structured but balanced red offers polished, silky tannins that caress the palate and deliver beautiful fruit, with plenty of currant, black olive and licorice character. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvingon and Petit Verdot. Best after 2013."

94 Points

Wine Spectator

"The 2008 Giorgio Primo comes across as a touch lean at first, but then opens up over time. The 2008 presents a slightly darker profile than the 2007s in a tightly coiled style that is typical of the year. A melange of rosemary, herbs, spices, mocha, leather and licorice adds considerable complexity and character on the mid-palate and finish. In 2008 the blend was 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. "

93 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Good saturated medium ruby color. Cassis, black cherry and mocha on the nose, along with a whiff of minty aromatic herbs. Sweet, dense and ripe, with dark chocolate and mineral notes complementing the ripe black fruit flavors. This big wine is extremely suave and rich but not heavy. Finishes with big but even tannins and excellent persistence. Owner Gianpaolo Motta, who I see in Bordeaux as often as I do in Chianti, works with renowned consultant Stephane Derenoncourt to make the wines of La Massa. But as good as the Giorgio I is, I'd prefer that it had more of a Tuscan flavor, as this wine could be made anywhere. Then again, Motta very candidly admitted to me a few years ago that he had trouble selling Giorgio I as a Chianti Classico, and that he didn't feel older vintages had aged as well as they should have. Thus he left the Chianti Classico denominazione and opted to use more of the international varieties in his blends. Starting with the 2009, Giorgio I will be just cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot."

90 Points

International Wine Cellar