Le Macchiole
Messorio 2014
Toscana IGT
Messorio, a Merlot monovarietal, is the winery’s crown jewel. Its initial vintage was 1994, and since then it has received extraordinary acclaim, including a 100-point score from the Wine Spectator for the 2004 vintage. The name Messorio refers to the ancient Tuscan practice of wheat harvesting, the most important time of the year in the Bolgheri countryside – once it referred to wheat; these days, it is all about grape harvesting.
VINEYARD
The fruit for Messorio was sourced from the Vignone estate parcel. Yields are managed tightly through the use of low vigor rootstocks and drastic thinning of clusters.
WINEMAKING
Messorio saw a 20-day fermentation maceration period in concrete and steel tanks. Aging lasted for 20 months in new oak barriques.
VINTAGE
There is no question that the 2014 was challenging for all Italian wineries and Bolgheri was no different: rainfall, changeable weather and constant lack of sun adversely affected the harvest like rarely before. It was a vintage that required hard work and commitment, allowing those who worked carefully, accurately and with passion to make the difference. At Le Macchiole, a lot of time and hard work was put into protecting the grapes through constant canopy management to lighten the foliage, and allow for more sunlight and warmth to receive the grapes. Despite the challenges, the winery is quite please with the results: grape yield was lower than usual, but fruit quality was amazing.
TASTING NOTE
A Merlot wine featuring good acidity and great aromatic freshness, as a result of light extraction and delicate maceration. Red fruity aromas and sweet spicy notes on the nose. Amazing on the palate owing to the freshness given by the great acidity and considerable savoriness counterbalanced by soft tannins.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Merlot
Appellation
Toscana IGT
Alcohol
14.5%
Reviews
“Opens with delicate scents of thyme and lavender"
Wine & Spirits Magazine - August 9, 2018 “Opens with delicate scents of thyme and lavender that lead into flavors of dark plum and pomegranate infused with bright acidity and cool, polished tannins. Layers of dark chocolate and teriyaki emerge with time in the glass, along with a lightly bitter amaro note.”
"Chewy tannins and a flavorful finish"
James Suckling - August 9, 2018 “A little lean for Messorio but plenty of tobacco, cedar and berry character. Medium body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs two or three years to come together.”
Reviews
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Paleo Bianco
Bolgheri
First produced in 1991, Paleo Bianco is a silky, mineral-driven blend of Chardonnay (90%) and Sauvignon Blanc (10%). Perfect for pairing with seafood, this white is well suited to a medium to long aging in bottle.
Bolgheri Rosso
Bolgheri
Bolgheri Rosso is a refined, irresistible blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, serving as an introduction to the estate. The wine is, frankly, almost too good at the price. All the intensive artisanal work that Le Macchiole carries out in its vineyards and cellars benefits this wine, and despite more availability than its Paleo Rosso, Messorio and Scrio siblings, it sells out nearly as quickly.
Scrio
Toscana IGT
Scrio was born in 1994, out of Eugenio Campolmi's wish to produce a wine which would best express his vision of Syrah, his favorite grape variety. As all Le Macchiole wines, Scrio has an original personality and stands apart from Syrah grown in France or anywhere else - it is an extraordinarily compelling meld of deep and velvety Mediterranean fruit with cool climate aromatics and detail. Given the extremely limited production, Scrio is decidedly a hidden gem.
Paleo Rosso
Toscana IGT
Paleo Rosso has been called Italy's landmark expression of Cabernet Franc. This grape variety is growing internationally as a distinct bottling, but Bolgheri has proven to be the single best place in the world to do so. The Mediterranean climate and surroundings result in a wine of extraordinarily expressive, sensual, and textural fruits and savory spices.