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Mastrojanni
www.mastrojanni.com
Map location of Mastrojanni
Mastrojanni Estate
Mastrojanni Estate


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Decanter Aug 2013 - From Coffee to Wine
Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Montalcino, Tuscany
People: Illy Family, Owners | Andrea Machetti, Oenologist & CEO | Maurizio Castelli, Winemaker


The wine estate Mastrojanni lies in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in the south easternmost corner of Montalcino, in the Province of Siena. This is an area with a strong winemaking tradition and the homeland of Brunello. The inactive Mount Amiata lends great character to the Sangivese growing in this estate, as the soils are rich in gravel, clay, limestone and sandstone. The estate stretches over 90 hectares, 25 of which for vines, 14 for Brunello, with vineyards often over 35 years old. The height varies from 150 meters to 420 meters above sea level. The area enjoys exposure to all cardinal points, with more or less steep slopes. The average density is of 5,300 vines per hectare yielding below 5 tons per hectare.

Mastrojanni has been writing history with its wines since 1975, collecting awards from all over the world. Today, thanks to an exceptional terroir and men who have believed in it for decades, Mastrojanni has become one of the most respected Montalcino producers. They believe in what the vineyard can yield, so quantities vary vintage to vintage. If the vintage is poor, Mastrojanni has been known not to produce its Brunello, like in the years 1992 and 2002.

History of Mastrojanni: Andrea Machetti was born 50 years ago and has always lived in Montalcino. He never forgot his rural origins and at the beginning of the '80s, he first started his studies in agriculture. He first joined the Montadison Chemical Company and in 1983 he was asked to join the staff developing the new enological techniques in the new cellar at Villa Banfi. During this time he met Maurizio Castelli, a famous enologist who was the technical manager at Castiglion del Bosco – a 1200 hectares extended farm- who wanted Andrea Machetti by his side during the take over from Prenatal Company to Taliani family as vice technician and account manager to build the farm up as a winery.

The partnership between Andrea Machetti and Maurizio Castelli was a success and Castelli, who in the mean time became consultant enologist for many wineries in Montalcino. He spoke about Machetti to the Mastrojanni family as the only man capable of managing the great skills of the winery cooperating with one of the sons in the production and sales of wines. So in June 1992 he started this new adventure having the chance to apply all his knowledge and skills with all the love and passion for his territory. His philosophy perfectly fit in with the lawyer Gabriele (founder of the winery) one: "tradition first", wine comes first from the vineyard and only the maturing happens in the cellar. This is the reason why the Mastrojanni family has left him in charge to manage the vineyards, the cellar and his assistants. Often happened that the wine press would criticize him for his traditional wines but he stuck to his way without being involved with new enological trends, proud of the results recognized by the same press which criticized him.

His greatest goal has been not to introduce barriques into the cellar because he has always stated that Sangiovese has to maintain both its proper features and the ones given by the soil totally integral aging in great capacity botti. In the following years many events such as the death of the founders, the inheritance of the winery (which had in the meantime become a national and international brand) to their sons lead Andrea Machetti to manage the new Mastrojanni winery with the same old love and passion.

During these years a new neighbor arrived. Francesco Illy, always a lover of Mastrojanni wines, bought the nearby farm and started wine production. A great friendship was born. That is the reason why at the moment when first troubles started between the Mastrojanni brothers, Andrea Machetti asked Franceso Illy to acquire this small pearl. Francesco Illy became the spokesman of this proposal to his family who did not let this chance pass by acquiring through the Illy Group in September 2008, naming Andrea Machetti as CEO.

From Gambero Rosso 2012
"A great deal of work is going on at Mastrojanni. The new estate is investing in the cellar above all, both in technology and in medium-sized wooden casks. Andrea Machetti applies his usual enthusiasm to running this traditional old winery whose greatest virtues are its quality and the position of its vineyards, now completely renewed. The wines display the typical south-western Montalcino style with lovely rich extract and rather austere tannins in the early years."

Media Links
Wine Enthusiast: Making Sense of Montalcino

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Items
Mastrojanni 2010 'San Pio' (Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese) Toscana IGT Net Price — —
Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Net Price Reviews —
Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Loreto, DOCG Net Price Reviews —
Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Schiena d'Asino, DOCG Net Price Reviews —
Mastrojanni 2011 Rosso di Montalcino DOC Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Rating: 90

Classic bright red Sangiovese color. Initially subdued nose hints at redcurrant, red cherry, violet and some alcoholic warmth. Smooth, dense and pure, showing precise mineral, red cherry and sweet spice flavors that linger nicely. Finishes with rising but not drying tannins and sneaky complexity. In a fairly rich, ripe style, and very well done.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Rating: 91

Tar, licorice, game, incense and smoke are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino from Mastrojanni. Big, rich and powerful, the 2008 shows the wilder side of the Sangiovese. The 2008 impresses for its freshness, nuance and delineation, all qualities that are increasingly evident as the wine opens up in the glass, releasing an attractive melange of floral-infused nuances. Firm tannins frame the virile, beautifully articulated finish. Based on this showing, I am very interested to taste the top selection, the Vigna Schiena d’Asino, next year. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2023.

- The Wine Advocate (6/1/2013)

Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Loreto, DOCG
Rating: 90 (+?)

(14.5% alcohol): Vivid red. Ripe red cherry, licorice and sweet aromatic herbs on the nose; less obviously alcoholic than the 2008 normale. Bright, juicy and dense, showing excellent precision to the red fruit and mineral flavors. The polished tannins pick up a peppery element on the very persistent finish, which shows a trace of alcoholic heat. More refined but less powerful than the Vigna Schiena d'Asino.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Loreto, DOCG
Rating: 93

The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto is another gorgeous wine from Mastrojanni in this vintage. A Brunello of unusual textural depth, the 2008 Vigna Loreto impresses for its balance and overall harmony. Smoke, tobacco, savory herbs and licorice all flesh out in this radiant Brunello. Layers of flavor keep blossoming as the Loreto opens up in the glass. There is a lot to like here. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2023.

- The Wine Advocate (6/1/2013)

Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Schiena d'Asino, DOCG
Rating: 94

One of Montalcino's most sought-out wines, this 2008 is an outstanding effort. It opens with earthy notes of black berries, tilled soil, underbrush, leather, tobacco and prune. The succulent palate reveals juicy wild cherry and black raspberry energized by notes of white pepper, licorice and thyme. Still young and tannic, it should develop beautifully. Drink 2015-2028.

- The Wine Enthusiast (5/1/2014)

Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Schiena d'Asino, DOCG
Rating: 93

From one of Montalcino’s most celebrated single-vineyards, the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d’Asino (“donkey’s back”) comes from a one-hectare hillside crest that runs roughly south to north and enjoys magnificent exposures. This is a seriously elegant and sophisticated effort with gorgeous layering that sees plush fruit pitted carefully next to savory spice and smoke. The austerity of the 2008 vintage lines up perfectly with the virile and robust personality that comes naturally to this wine. Drink: 2017-2028.

- The Wine Advocate (2/28/2014)

Mastrojanni 2008 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Schiena d'Asino, DOCG
Rating: 92(+?)

Good full red. Captivating nose combines floral red berries and superripe red cherries lifted by a mineral nuance. Sweet, dense and suave, with precise flavors of red cherry and dried herbs supported by assertive, somewhat drying tannins. The finish is long and a bit warm, with returning superripe notes of red fruit. This is a luscious ripe fruit bomb but with serious depth and complexity lurking beneath all that glossy fruit. And it's faithful to the warmer terroirs in the southern sections of Montalcino.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

Mastrojanni 2011 Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Rating: 90

Bright red. Clean, perfumed aromas of redcurrant, tea leaf and violet. Then light and lively on the palate too, with bright flavors of sour red cherry and redcurrant giving cut by vibrant acidity. The saline, brisk finish shows a repeating floral quality. Not the last word in complexity or length, but I'll give this an outstanding score for its lovely balance and remarkable freshness.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2013)