Massalto
Just as the name suggests, Massalto is a bigger style of Washington wine. Michael Ruhland, and winemaker Matias Kusulas have founded this project that is now in its infancy. Massalto is a relatively new winery that has produced success after success with their current releases. Matias sources from some top sites in the Royal Slope AVA, including the Thunderstone and Stoneridge Vineyards. The wines are unabashedly large but also show wonderful minerality to back things up. They now have a waterfront location in Vancouver, Washington for their winery.
Matias was very excited about the new wines when I tasted with him. I absolutely adored the new 2020 Massalto ‘Sauvalanche’ White Wine (OB, 93) which is dense and very viscous with a very soft texture and great acidity. This is an absolutely delicious Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc blend to delicious to savor now. I love the terroir expressed in the 2020 Massalto ‘Extravaganza’ Cinsault (OB, 93) which is seamless and shows very pure red fruit flavors. Just as good was the 2019 Massalto ‘Interstellar’ Mourvèdre (OB, 93) which is wonderfully tart and salty, showing fantastic flavor range. Learn more about these beautiful new wines at massalto.com and here are my reviews of the new Massalto wines.
2019 Massalto ‘Sauvalanche’ White Wine- The 2019 ‘Sauvalanche’ is a blend of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc that was co-fermented. This is sleek and shows beautiful finesse with gooseberry, green melon rind, salted almond on the palate. The salinity is gorgeous here, as is the weight and length. Drink 2022-2028- 92
2020 Massalto ‘Sauvalanche’ White Wine- This is made with 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sauvignon Blanc that was aged in natural 300L French oak barrels before bottling. This saw extended battonage which was once a week. The nose shows off nutmeg infused Challah bread, honeydew melon and shades of white raisin on the nose. The palate is very soft and seamless with a gorgeous texture. Opulent and soft, with bright acidity and a light salinity holding everything in place, this is gorgeous white wine that is not only novel but nearly impossible to put down. Watch this beauty evolve over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 93
2019 Massalto ‘Irreverent’ Viognier- A blend of Viognier from both the Connor Lee and Stoneridge Vineyard, this was stored in a combination of new and neutral French oak before bottling. This shows nice toasty oak on the nose with tropical fruits, honeydew melon and shades of salted pear. The palate is big and bold with a soft mouthfeel. The sense of salinity is fantastic here, as this finishes very long. Drink 2022-2029- 93
2020 Massalto ‘Extravaganza’ Cinsault- Sourced from the Thunderstone Vineyard, this underwent carbonic maceration. Aged for twelve months in new and neutral large format French oak, this reveals banana and bubblegum tones that mingle with pretty red fruits on the nose. The palate is big and bold with a seamless texture and wonderful bright acidity. Enjoy over the next few years while the brightness remains intact. There is nothing quite like this in Washington. Drink 2022-2027- 93
2019 Massalto ‘Interstellar’ Mourvedre- The 2019 ‘Interstellar’ Mourvèdre was sourced from the Thudnerstone Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Citrus rind and hoisin sauce combine with bulls blood on the nose. The palate is plush with a soft mouthfeel and a brilliant display of tart red fruits, with stony and salty nuance. With more air this shows hay and peat moss character with green olive notes on the palate. Drink 2022-2030- 93
2020 Massalto ‘The Point of No Return’ Grenache- Sourced from the Thunderestone Vineyard, this 100% Grenache was aged in a combination of new and used oak for eighteen months before bottling. Red cherry candy with red licorice tones combine with shades of Nori and a gorgeous texture on the palate. Deep and concentrated, this is full-throttle Grenache, with great acidity, that will surely cellar well for another five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 92