Le Macchiole

Messorio has been undisputedly one of Italy's best and rarest Merlots since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never overdone. On the nose, ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unparalleled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Once again, proof of how suitable individual sites in Bolgheri are for the Merlot grape variety: Complex nose of wild berries, mint, pepper and tobacco; the attack is full-bodied yet finesse-rich, with supple tannins, good acid structure, the finish pleasantly mineral and of great elegance." Vinum

"Powerful, sparkling ruby with violet glints. Open and accessible on the nose, charming notes of dark cherries, wild raspberries and some cardamom. Shows very good tension on the palate, juicy, lots of crunchy fruit, opens with fine-meshed tannin, tobacco on the final." Falstaff

"The 2018 Messorio is an attractive wine, but it also feels like the most marked by the cooler style of the year. Readers will find a mid-weight Messorio endowed with striking inner sweetness and perfume, if not quite the textural richness that is the norm here. I have seen even the more delicate of Messorios blossom beautifully over time, and suspect that will be the case here as well. The purity of the fruit is remarkable." Vinous

"Le Macchiole's 2018 Messorio is soft and rich with impressive depth and intensity, all delivered with the softness that only the Merlot grape can manage. This important wine unfolds first to rich cherry and blackberry and then yields softly to secondary notes of spice, baker's chocolate and toasted almond. There is some youthful tightness in the mouth, with Merlot tannins that are hitched to firmness and softness, while showing impressive length all the while. The mouthfeel is most impressive, thanks to its seamless and supple nature that glides smoothly over the palate." Wine Advocate

"This wine's main themes are plum, blackberry and black cherry flavors, with perfumed aromas and earth, iron, tobacco and dried herb accents. Dense, firm and dry on the finish, where a green, herbal element echoes. This is underlined by a beam of acidity from beginning to end." Wine Spectator

"This is very complex, offering tobacco, brown sugar, black olives and currants. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and layered, with very fine tannins and a long, structured finish. Hints of new wood complement the long, cool fruit and phenolics. Give this three or four years to open." James Suckling

Messorio has been undisputedly one of Italy's best and rarest Merlots since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never overdone. On the nose, ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unparalleled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby with violet glints. Opens with notes of forest floor, cedar wood and pine needles, then blueberry and blackberry, inviting. Very juicy, lots of dark fruit, opens with fine-meshed, very well-placed tannin, shows good drinking flow, juicy, very long finish." Falstaff

"Bright cassis, straw and graphite on the nose - all are the more overt characters typical of Bolgheri's solar Merlot. The concentrated fruit is dense and fleshy on the palate, with an oaky, slightly chalky and austere character as well as velvety tannins and a graceful finish of cedar. Assertive yet integrated acidity balances the alcohol. Great ageing potential." Decanter

"Le Macchiole is always distinguished by its deadly balance, and the Messorio is no exception. Cherries, cranberries, wild herbs and earth on the nose continue on the palate before pepper, charred meat and a juicy spiciness emerge on the finish. Tannins that unwind with ease and a palpable spiciness keep things exciting; a pleasure in the moment, but seeing what happens next will be worth the wait." Wine Enthusiast

"Le Macchiole's great challenge on pure Merlot, obtained with a prophetic 'subtraction' work. Black raspberry, juniper and liquorice on the nose, with small touches of nutmeg, on the palate tense-dense and juicy-savoury, with a fruity and undergrowth return." Luca Gardini

"Blackberry, oyster shell, iodine and black olive. Also some caraway and thyme. Full-bodied with a very tight palate of firm tannins and fresh, mineral blue fruits. Needs time to open up and show its true potential. Try it after 2025." James Suckling

"At this stage it is strongly marked by new oak, with vanilla and toasted spices wrapped around a core of plum, black cherry, earth and cedar. Graceful and balanced, it firms up on the lingering finish. This is all about purity of fruit, finesse and length. Decant it now or let it age for 2-3 years." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Messorio combines the natural opulence of Merlot on the Tuscan coast with a finesse I have never seen here before. It has a lot of depth and resonance, but none of the heaviness that has been so en vogue for many years. Dark cherry, plum, spice, mocha and floral notes lead into a racy, exotic finish." Vinous

"The stunning Le Macchiole 2019 Messorio is a pure Merlot from a special 2.5 hectare parcel with a classic blend of Bolgheri soils with clay, silt, sandstone and limestone. The wine ferments in concrete and is aged in new barriques for 18 months. This beautiful wine exudes scents of cherries, blue flowers, iris roots, gravel and slate. Balanced oak tones add power and texture to the full-bodied finish." Wine Advocate

Messorio has been undisputedly one of the best and rarest Merlots in Italy since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never exaggerated. Ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak on the nose. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unrivalled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Multi-layered bouquet with concentrated elegance, mint, tar, liquorice, cocoa, blueberry, blackberry and blood orange. Very broad and deeply layered. The elegant palate continues with ethereal spice and melting, this Merlot is dense and tightly woven, enormously long and persistent, with a lot of mineral, balsamic spice and saltiness on the finish." Weinwisser

"Sparkling, rich ruby colour with a slightly brightening rim. Opens with fine spicy notes of cardamom and graphite, then lots of blackberry and mulberry. Full-bodied and rich in attack and finish, lots of dark berry fruit, tightly woven, densely woven tannins, surrounded by fine enamel, full-bodied pressure." Falstaff

"In the glass, the wine is dark garnet in colour and captivates with its aromas of cassis and leaves, which contrast with a dark, fleshy note and a loamy minerality. The dense, viscous and velvety palate is balanced by crisp acidity, slightly grainy, youthful tannins and a polished finish." Decanter

"Pure and elegant, with a core of blackberry, black cherry, violet, iron and oak spice flavours. The solid tannins provide some backbone, while the velvety texture emphasises the grace of this wine. Excellent balance and length." Wine Spectator

"Intense aromas of sandalwood, lavender, crushed stone, inkwell and blue fruit transition into a medium body, with beautiful tannins and tension that add energy and vibrancy. Excellent freshness for 2020, with blackcurrants, black olives and violets in the aftertaste." James Suckling

"The Messorio 2020 is a deep and richly structured wine that has become one of the flagships of winemaker Cinza Merli. Ripe fruit, dark cherries, oak spice and roasted aromas combine with balanced intensity to characterise this generous expression from Tuscany. The problem with Merlot, especially in a hot vintage like this one, is ripeness, or more precisely, over-ripeness. Messorio masters a difficult growth phase with flying colours." Wine Advocate

"The Messorio 2020 is fabulous. Once an opulent, full-bodied wine, the Messorio has now evolved into a much more restrained Merlot. The 2020 has a lot of energy and seems to have a great future once it has developed properly. I really admire the vibrancy of this wine. The 2020 matured for 18 months in 100% French oak, 5% of the wine was aged in amphorae." Wine Advocate

"The nose is reminiscent of a private library with old books on the shelves, dried lavender and violets on the desk and rays of sunshine and humid air from outside streaming through the curtains, held in check by a smoky warmth from the fireplace. The palate unfolds with an abundance of berries, chocolate and spice, with a salty astringency in the background. Tannins and acidity that are quiet at first, but then flare up." Wine Enthusiast

Messorio has been undisputedly one of the best and rarest Merlots in Italy since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never exaggerated. Ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak on the nose. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unrivalled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Seductive Merlot nose with aromas of red berries and flowers; crisp and youthful on the palate, juicy, the acidity vivid, long on notes of red berries, pepper and blood oranges on the finish. Already a pleasure, but also with potential for ageing." Vinum

"Powerful, bright ruby colour with a fine violet sheen. Intense and inviting nose, full of blackberries and blueberries, with fine spicy notes of cedar and pine cones. Very well-developed fruit on the palate, juicy and crisp, lots of fine tannins, spans a wide arc, fine spicy notes on the final." Falstaff

"Messorio, the pure Merlot from Le Macchiole, which shines with energy and fragrance in 2021. It is produced in the same way as the Paleo and is a blend of two parcels and six vinifications. It smells of Mediterranean scrub, sweet cherry, violet, plum and spices, while the firm, grainy palate promises bright, lively and fleshy fruit once bottle ageing has relaxed it. An outstanding Merlot." Decanter

"A lively Merlot on the nose with aromas of plum, berry, clove and cedar, as well as undertones of bark and five spice. Full-bodied yet balanced and energetic, with a driving acidity and fine tannins that frame the wine nicely and give it energy and drive. Sweet tobacco to the fruit." James Suckling

"The Messorio 2021 is a classic wine with firm lines and an almost glossy texture, due to the very warm but balanced conditions of this growing season. The fruit is bold and expressive with deep layers of Amarena cherries that fade into toasted spices, brown sugar and even a hint of olive oil focaccia. Similar to the Paleo (Cabernet Franc) and Scrio (Syrah) from Cinzia Merli, this wine has a floral signature that reminds me of freesia (with the peppery notes) or a green calla lily. The tannins are very polished and finely balanced. Of the five flavour elements we perceive - sweetness, saltiness, acidity, bitterness and umami - Messorio is completely umami." Wine Advocate

"Plum, pomegranate and blackberry fruit are framed by toasted oak and vanilla notes in this fresh, brilliant red. Iron and tobacco accents add detail as it transitions into the long, lush finish. The tannins are present, but remain within limits and leave a mouth-flattering impression. This wine is more about finesse than power, showing balance and length." Wine Spectator

Relentless is the word that comes to mind at the first sip of Messorio 2021. Winemaking in Bolgheri has only become more complicated in recent vintages, and most people would point to the Merlot vineyards as the place where the oncoming storm strikes first, but like a lighthouse whose light is better appreciated not despite but because of the adverse conditions, Le Macchiole's Messorio seems to shine even brighter under duress. A beacon of light." Wine Enthusiast

"The Messorio 2021 is a wine of pure and complete sensuality. Dark, layered and enveloping, the 2021 offers a remarkable textural richness from start to finish. Dark red fruits, spice, mocha, new leather and liquorice fill out the layers effortlessly. There is plenty of energy and depth to balance some of the more overt qualities. These days, Messorio is not as opulent as it was in the 1990s when it became an icon in Italy, but there is simply no denying the Maremma's natural aptitude for producing exotic, luscious Merlots. It is a great achievement by Le Macchiole." Vinous

Messorio has been undisputedly one of Italy's best and rarest Merlots since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never overdone. On the nose, ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unparalleled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Once again, proof of how suitable individual sites in Bolgheri are for the Merlot grape variety: Complex nose of wild berries, mint, pepper and tobacco; the attack is full-bodied yet finesse-rich, with supple tannins, good acid structure, the finish pleasantly mineral and of great elegance." Vinum

"Powerful, sparkling ruby with violet glints. Open and accessible on the nose, charming notes of dark cherries, wild raspberries and some cardamom. Shows very good tension on the palate, juicy, lots of crunchy fruit, opens with fine-meshed tannin, tobacco on the final." Falstaff

"The 2018 Messorio is an attractive wine, but it also feels like the most marked by the cooler style of the year. Readers will find a mid-weight Messorio endowed with striking inner sweetness and perfume, if not quite the textural richness that is the norm here. I have seen even the more delicate of Messorios blossom beautifully over time, and suspect that will be the case here as well. The purity of the fruit is remarkable." Vinous

"Le Macchiole's 2018 Messorio is soft and rich with impressive depth and intensity, all delivered with the softness that only the Merlot grape can manage. This important wine unfolds first to rich cherry and blackberry and then yields softly to secondary notes of spice, baker's chocolate and toasted almond. There is some youthful tightness in the mouth, with Merlot tannins that are hitched to firmness and softness, while showing impressive length all the while. The mouthfeel is most impressive, thanks to its seamless and supple nature that glides smoothly over the palate." Wine Advocate

"This wine's main themes are plum, blackberry and black cherry flavors, with perfumed aromas and earth, iron, tobacco and dried herb accents. Dense, firm and dry on the finish, where a green, herbal element echoes. This is underlined by a beam of acidity from beginning to end." Wine Spectator

"This is very complex, offering tobacco, brown sugar, black olives and currants. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and layered, with very fine tannins and a long, structured finish. Hints of new wood complement the long, cool fruit and phenolics. Give this three or four years to open." James Suckling

Messorio has been undisputedly one of Italy's best and rarest Merlots since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never overdone. On the nose, ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unparalleled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby with violet glints. Opens with notes of forest floor, cedar wood and pine needles, then blueberry and blackberry, inviting. Very juicy, lots of dark fruit, opens with fine-meshed, very well-placed tannin, shows good drinking flow, juicy, very long finish." Falstaff

"Bright cassis, straw and graphite on the nose - all are the more overt characters typical of Bolgheri's solar Merlot. The concentrated fruit is dense and fleshy on the palate, with an oaky, slightly chalky and austere character as well as velvety tannins and a graceful finish of cedar. Assertive yet integrated acidity balances the alcohol. Great ageing potential." Decanter

"Le Macchiole is always distinguished by its deadly balance, and the Messorio is no exception. Cherries, cranberries, wild herbs and earth on the nose continue on the palate before pepper, charred meat and a juicy spiciness emerge on the finish. Tannins that unwind with ease and a palpable spiciness keep things exciting; a pleasure in the moment, but seeing what happens next will be worth the wait." Wine Enthusiast

"Le Macchiole's great challenge on pure Merlot, obtained with a prophetic 'subtraction' work. Black raspberry, juniper and liquorice on the nose, with small touches of nutmeg, on the palate tense-dense and juicy-savoury, with a fruity and undergrowth return." Luca Gardini

"Blackberry, oyster shell, iodine and black olive. Also some caraway and thyme. Full-bodied with a very tight palate of firm tannins and fresh, mineral blue fruits. Needs time to open up and show its true potential. Try it after 2025." James Suckling

"At this stage it is strongly marked by new oak, with vanilla and toasted spices wrapped around a core of plum, black cherry, earth and cedar. Graceful and balanced, it firms up on the lingering finish. This is all about purity of fruit, finesse and length. Decant it now or let it age for 2-3 years." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Messorio combines the natural opulence of Merlot on the Tuscan coast with a finesse I have never seen here before. It has a lot of depth and resonance, but none of the heaviness that has been so en vogue for many years. Dark cherry, plum, spice, mocha and floral notes lead into a racy, exotic finish." Vinous

"The stunning Le Macchiole 2019 Messorio is a pure Merlot from a special 2.5 hectare parcel with a classic blend of Bolgheri soils with clay, silt, sandstone and limestone. The wine ferments in concrete and is aged in new barriques for 18 months. This beautiful wine exudes scents of cherries, blue flowers, iris roots, gravel and slate. Balanced oak tones add power and texture to the full-bodied finish." Wine Advocate

Messorio has been undisputedly one of the best and rarest Merlots in Italy since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never exaggerated. Ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak on the nose. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unrivalled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Seductive Merlot nose with aromas of red berries and flowers; crisp and youthful on the palate, juicy, the acidity vivid, long on notes of red berries, pepper and blood oranges on the finish. Already a pleasure, but also with potential for ageing." Vinum

"Powerful, bright ruby colour with a fine violet sheen. Intense and inviting nose, full of blackberries and blueberries, with fine spicy notes of cedar and pine cones. Very well-developed fruit on the palate, juicy and crisp, lots of fine tannins, spans a wide arc, fine spicy notes on the final." Falstaff

"Messorio, the pure Merlot from Le Macchiole, which shines with energy and fragrance in 2021. It is produced in the same way as the Paleo and is a blend of two parcels and six vinifications. It smells of Mediterranean scrub, sweet cherry, violet, plum and spices, while the firm, grainy palate promises bright, lively and fleshy fruit once bottle ageing has relaxed it. An outstanding Merlot." Decanter

"A lively Merlot on the nose with aromas of plum, berry, clove and cedar, as well as undertones of bark and five spice. Full-bodied yet balanced and energetic, with a driving acidity and fine tannins that frame the wine nicely and give it energy and drive. Sweet tobacco to the fruit." James Suckling

"The Messorio 2021 is a classic wine with firm lines and an almost glossy texture, due to the very warm but balanced conditions of this growing season. The fruit is bold and expressive with deep layers of Amarena cherries that fade into toasted spices, brown sugar and even a hint of olive oil focaccia. Similar to the Paleo (Cabernet Franc) and Scrio (Syrah) from Cinzia Merli, this wine has a floral signature that reminds me of freesia (with the peppery notes) or a green calla lily. The tannins are very polished and finely balanced. Of the five flavour elements we perceive - sweetness, saltiness, acidity, bitterness and umami - Messorio is completely umami." Wine Advocate

"Plum, pomegranate and blackberry fruit are framed by toasted oak and vanilla notes in this fresh, brilliant red. Iron and tobacco accents add detail as it transitions into the long, lush finish. The tannins are present, but remain within limits and leave a mouth-flattering impression. This wine is more about finesse than power, showing balance and length." Wine Spectator

Relentless is the word that comes to mind at the first sip of Messorio 2021. Winemaking in Bolgheri has only become more complicated in recent vintages, and most people would point to the Merlot vineyards as the place where the oncoming storm strikes first, but like a lighthouse whose light is better appreciated not despite but because of the adverse conditions, Le Macchiole's Messorio seems to shine even brighter under duress. A beacon of light." Wine Enthusiast

"The Messorio 2021 is a wine of pure and complete sensuality. Dark, layered and enveloping, the 2021 offers a remarkable textural richness from start to finish. Dark red fruits, spice, mocha, new leather and liquorice fill out the layers effortlessly. There is plenty of energy and depth to balance some of the more overt qualities. These days, Messorio is not as opulent as it was in the 1990s when it became an icon in Italy, but there is simply no denying the Maremma's natural aptitude for producing exotic, luscious Merlots. It is a great achievement by Le Macchiole." Vinous

Messorio has been undisputedly one of the best and rarest Merlots in Italy since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never exaggerated. Ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak on the nose. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unrivalled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Multi-layered bouquet with concentrated elegance, mint, tar, liquorice, cocoa, blueberry, blackberry and blood orange. Very broad and deeply layered. The elegant palate continues with ethereal spice and melting, this Merlot is dense and tightly woven, enormously long and persistent, with a lot of mineral, balsamic spice and saltiness on the finish." Weinwisser

"Sparkling, rich ruby colour with a slightly brightening rim. Opens with fine spicy notes of cardamom and graphite, then lots of blackberry and mulberry. Full-bodied and rich in attack and finish, lots of dark berry fruit, tightly woven, densely woven tannins, surrounded by fine enamel, full-bodied pressure." Falstaff

"In the glass, the wine is dark garnet in colour and captivates with its aromas of cassis and leaves, which contrast with a dark, fleshy note and a loamy minerality. The dense, viscous and velvety palate is balanced by crisp acidity, slightly grainy, youthful tannins and a polished finish." Decanter

"Pure and elegant, with a core of blackberry, black cherry, violet, iron and oak spice flavours. The solid tannins provide some backbone, while the velvety texture emphasises the grace of this wine. Excellent balance and length." Wine Spectator

"Intense aromas of sandalwood, lavender, crushed stone, inkwell and blue fruit transition into a medium body, with beautiful tannins and tension that add energy and vibrancy. Excellent freshness for 2020, with blackcurrants, black olives and violets in the aftertaste." James Suckling

"The Messorio 2020 is a deep and richly structured wine that has become one of the flagships of winemaker Cinza Merli. Ripe fruit, dark cherries, oak spice and roasted aromas combine with balanced intensity to characterise this generous expression from Tuscany. The problem with Merlot, especially in a hot vintage like this one, is ripeness, or more precisely, over-ripeness. Messorio masters a difficult growth phase with flying colours." Wine Advocate

"The Messorio 2020 is fabulous. Once an opulent, full-bodied wine, the Messorio has now evolved into a much more restrained Merlot. The 2020 has a lot of energy and seems to have a great future once it has developed properly. I really admire the vibrancy of this wine. The 2020 matured for 18 months in 100% French oak, 5% of the wine was aged in amphorae." Wine Advocate

"The nose is reminiscent of a private library with old books on the shelves, dried lavender and violets on the desk and rays of sunshine and humid air from outside streaming through the curtains, held in check by a smoky warmth from the fireplace. The palate unfolds with an abundance of berries, chocolate and spice, with a salty astringency in the background. Tannins and acidity that are quiet at first, but then flare up." Wine Enthusiast