Le Macchiole

Classic Bolgheri Rosso with a strong bouquet of raspberries and currants, cassis and some tobacco. Juicy, full-bodied taste, nice tannin and good acidity. Wonderful entry into the great world of Le Macchiole wines. SUPERIORE.DE

"Le Macchiole's 2019 Bolgheri Rosso is bright, effusive and so alluring. Sweet floral and spice notes meld into a core of red/purplish berry fruit as this silky, mid-weight red shows off its undeniable charm. The interplay of Bolgheri radiance with the approach at Le Macchiole today, that seeks greater energy in the wines than in the past, is so incredibly appealing." Vinous

Classic Bolgheri Rosso with a strong bouquet of raspberries and currants, cassis and some tobacco. Juicy, full-bodied taste, nice tannin and good acidity. Wonderful entry into the great world of Le Macchiole wines. SUPERIORE.DE

"Le Macchiole's 2019 Bolgheri Rosso is bright, effusive and so alluring. Sweet floral and spice notes meld into a core of red/purplish berry fruit as this silky, mid-weight red shows off its undeniable charm. The interplay of Bolgheri radiance with the approach at Le Macchiole today, that seeks greater energy in the wines than in the past, is so incredibly appealing." Vinous

Very rare with each vintage, Paleo Bianco made from Sauvignon and Chardonnay is a great Tuscan white at the highest level. Fresh bouquet of lemon and apple, creamy texture and notes of melon and peach on the palate. Beautiful minerality and deep aromatic finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

Paleo - unmistakable Cabernet Franc and one of the most important wines of Bolgheri, full of elegance and class. The name goes back quite unspectacularly to a weed, which was removed long ago from the vineyards of Le Macchiole. Rich ruby red with violet reflections. In the bouquet mint, white pepper, blackberry fruit and some pomegranate. Fine melting on the palate with hints of tobacco and poppy. Wonderfully structured and with a long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of currants and fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and basil, follow through to a full body with layers of ripe tannins and a chewy finish." James Suckling

"The 2017 Paleo Rosso is superb. It is also the wine in this range that seems to have handled the rigors of 2017 best. Then again, that is the magic of Cabernet Franc on the Tuscan Coast. The aromatics alone are so alluring. Sweet pipe tobacco, mocha, dried flowers, mint, sage and cedar give Paleo its aromatic lift. Some varietal character has been baked out because of the heat of the year. In exchange, readers will find a Paleo Rosso that will drink well with just a year or two in bottle." Vinous

"The Three Graces of Le Macchiole are Messorio, Scrio and Paleo (Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, respectively). Of these three top-tier releases, my favorite is the 2017 Paleo. This is an upright and direct expression of the grape that carefully sheds some dusty or mineral aromas before opening the way for determined black fruit, charred meat, spice and cured tobacco or cigar. There is quite a bit of oak, but it works beautifully against the natural intensity and rich concentration of the hot vintage. More unexpected are those pretty tones of lilac, blue flower and aniseed that add to the detailed rendering and complexity of the bouquet. This wine won my heart." Robert Parker

Very refined, the Merlot Messorio with its great balance and finesse. Deeply dense and full-bodied, when the tannins have relaxed in the coming years, this wine will reach a fascinating perfection. SUPERIORE.DE

"Notes of blackcurrant, leather, tea and macchia; powerful, compact and balanced on the palate, ending with aromas of blackberry confit and herbs, very fresh and surprisingly youthful overall". Vinum

"Rich, deep dark ruby with a slight blue hue. Dense, exuberant nose, rich fruit, plums, blackberries and cassis. On the palate it is polished and lardy, develops with a lot of fine-grained tannin, salty, much rich, dark berry fruit, in the aftertaste a nice play between tobacco and fruit". Falstaff

"The 2011 Messorio takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. Rich and explosive to the core, the 2011 boasts stunning intensity and depth. Today, the 2011 is painfully young and packed with tannin. Even with all of its size, the 2011 retains gorgeous aromatic complexity and tons of nuance. This is a fabulous showing from Le Macchiole." Antonio Galloni

"Amazing aromas of sexy, decadent fruit with blackberry, dark chocolate and cedar. Full body with fine tannins and a long, long finish." James Suckling

"A pure expression of Merlot, the 2011 Messorio is a gorgeous wine that is already drinking at near-optimal performance now. It will be exciting to see where five to ten more years of cellar evolution take it. Cinzia Merli and her vineyard team took care to harvest the early-ripening varietal before autumn heat spikes. In fact, the integrity of the fruit is impeccable and you don’t get any of the jammy notes that are common in this warm vintage. The bouquet is broad and approachable with intense cherry, chocolate and tobacco. Supporting aromas of cola, grilled herb and exotic spice flesh out the finish. The tannins are plump and sweet." Robert Parker

Scrio - great Tuscan Syrah from Le Macchiole - is a true beauty. The persistent bouquet offers aromas of dark berries and cured meat, warm and balsamic on the palate with great intensity and dynamism, rich in extracts and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep, dark ruby-red violet. Opens with emphatically spicy notes, of cedar wood, white pepper, cardamom and lots of blueberry. On the palate, it plays well, alternating between spicy and fruity notes, then shows fine tannin, very long finish." Falstaff

"Scrio is one of the few 100% Syrahs from Bolgheri and has great personality. Few similarities could be found with other Syrah from around the Mediterranean coasts. It's a floral expression with green pepper, spice and candied orange aromas. The 2016 displays a light grace on the palate with creamy tannins and lively acidity. It lacks a bit of flavour definition on the finish but will develop complexity with bottle ageing." Decanter

"The 2016 Scrio (Syrah) is another stellar wine from Le Macchiole. Today, it is the extraordinary purity of the fruit that makes the deepest impression. More typically varietal Syrah notes need time in bottle to be fully expressive, but the wine's textural finesse is truly remarkable. Dense and resonant, the 2016 also remains light on its feet. I can't wait to taste it in another few years' time." Vinous

"The 2016 Scrio is a fruitier Syrah than the 2015, which was more about the pepper and the savory spice. The 2015 was broader, while this wine is more linear and classic. It boasts more depth and brings a lot of earthy tones, and it's generally a much more vertical wine than the 2015. This is a very precise, beautiful and detailed expression of Syrah that shows a very generous disposition overall. In fact, this wine harnesses the exuberant abundance of the grape and channels it with extreme elegance." Robert Parker

"This is another magical edition of Scrio; the crazy peppermint, rosemary, cypress and oregano perfumes should be enough to prove that. But then comes gravitas, in the form of pure blackcurrants and blackberries with graphite. Hints of dried meat. This strikes such a fine balance between power and finesse, wrapping up beautifully polished tannins and blue fruit in a velvet extravaganza of flavor and depth. This doesn’t have quite the muscularity as the legendary 2015, but, boy, does it deliver! Drink in 2023 and well beyond that." James Suckling

Scrio - great Tuscan Syrah from Le Macchiole - is a real beauty. The persistent bouquet offers aromas of dark berries and cured meat, warm and balsamic on the palate with great intensity and dynamism, extracted and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Scrio, Le Macchiole’s Syrah, is fabulous. As always, Scrio is more a wine of the estate than a varietal expression of Syrah. That is obvious. Even so, the wine’s density, persistence and overall complexity make it compelling. Time in the glass brings out hints of cedar, smoke, sweet pipe tobacco and rose petal to play off a core of vibrant red Syrah fruit. I would give the 2017 a few years for the aromatics to develop. This is very nicely done. Sadly, the year required severe selection that reduced production by around 40%." Vinous

"The Le Macchiole 2017 Scrio is a pure expression of Syrah that shows more similarities to the variety when grown in France than it does California, Australia or even the rest of Tuscany for that matter. Instead of the peppery charred meat or barbecued aromas you often get in New World Syrah, this wine points to blackberry, some black olive, rum cake, crème de cassis or chocolate-covered cherries. Although the wine is varietally pure, it doesn't really scream Syrah in any sort of obvious or banal manner. The tannins are more gripping in this hot vintage, and the wine spreads over the palate with a creamy, almost waxy texture that is enduring and deep." Robert Parker

"Intense aromas of blackcurrants, spices and black licorice with some lavender and rosemary. It’s full-bodied and layered with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Black pepper comes through. It’s tensioned and structured. Nicely proportioned." James Suckling

Messorio has been one of the best and rarest Merlots in Italy for over a decade. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never exaggerated. On the nose ripe fruits, coffee, graphite and French oak. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is second to none. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with a garnet edge. Opened with accentuated spicy notes of cardamom and laurel, followed by blackberry. On the palate a lot of pithy, gripping tannin, relaxes a fine carpet of spices." Falstaff

"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." James Suckling

"The 2014 Messorio is another very pretty and expressive wine from Le Macchiole. The 2014 has lovely mid-palate density, especially for the year, along with a decidedly exotic passion fruit/apricot quality that will only grow as the wine continues to develop in bottle. I expect the 2014 starts to drink well relatively early, but it also has enough freshness and balance to hold for a number of years. Hints of truffle, raspberry jam, blood orange and spice infuse the layered, creamy finish." Antonio Galloni

Messorio has been one of Italy's best and rarest Merlots for over a decade. 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 second to none. SUPERIORE.DE

"Messorio is a wine that beautifully reflects the characteristics of the vintage and is a very accurate measuring stick of how any single vintage will eventually perform both in terms of near-term accessibility and long-term cellar aging. That said, the Le Macchiole 2017 Messorio plays its strongest cards in terms of mouthfeel and texture, revealing a robust structure and firmly integrated tannins that come from both the richly concentrated fruit and the careful use of oak. The wine shows a heavy center of gravity and a solid base of dark fruit that is enhanced by caramel, brown sugar, spice and creamy blackberry preserves. It does offer immediate appeal, but I'd wait a few more years to give this 2017 Messorio more time to flesh out and evolve." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Messorio is classy and polished to the core. It is also incredibly young and not at all forthcoming. Messorio is a wine that needs a surprising amount of time in bottle to truly shine. I expect that will be the case here as well. Today, the 2017 is all about fruit and density. Time in the cellar should allow for its aromatics to emerge more fully. Overall, though, this is a fairly restrained style, in keeping with the showing of 2017 Bolgheri reds more broadly. All the elements come together so gracefully in this striking wine." Vinous

"This wine shows beautiful clarity and class on the nose with roses, tar, currants, green and black olives and plums. It’s exceptionally fine-tannined with such polish and finesse. So sophisticated and intense for this vintage. Long, chewy finish, yet this is mouth-filling and caressing." James Suckling

Paleo - unmistakable Cabernet Franc and one of the most important wines of Bolgheri, full of elegance and class. The name goes back quite unspectacularly to a weed, which was removed long ago from the vineyards of Le Macchiole. Rich ruby red with violet reflections. In the bouquet mint, white pepper, blackberry fruit and some pomegranate. Fine melting on the palate with hints of tobacco and poppy. Wonderfully structured and with a long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of currants and fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and basil, follow through to a full body with layers of ripe tannins and a chewy finish." James Suckling

"The 2017 Paleo Rosso is superb. It is also the wine in this range that seems to have handled the rigors of 2017 best. Then again, that is the magic of Cabernet Franc on the Tuscan Coast. The aromatics alone are so alluring. Sweet pipe tobacco, mocha, dried flowers, mint, sage and cedar give Paleo its aromatic lift. Some varietal character has been baked out because of the heat of the year. In exchange, readers will find a Paleo Rosso that will drink well with just a year or two in bottle." Vinous

"The Three Graces of Le Macchiole are Messorio, Scrio and Paleo (Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, respectively). Of these three top-tier releases, my favorite is the 2017 Paleo. This is an upright and direct expression of the grape that carefully sheds some dusty or mineral aromas before opening the way for determined black fruit, charred meat, spice and cured tobacco or cigar. There is quite a bit of oak, but it works beautifully against the natural intensity and rich concentration of the hot vintage. More unexpected are those pretty tones of lilac, blue flower and aniseed that add to the detailed rendering and complexity of the bouquet. This wine won my heart." Robert Parker

Scrio - great Tuscan Syrah by Le Macchiole - is a true beauty. The persistent bouquet offers aromas of dark berries and cured meat, warm and balsamic on the palate with great intensity and dynamism, rich in extracts and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich ruby violet. Inviting and intense nose with pronounced notes of plums, blueberries and blood oranges. A dense tannin on the palate, with a good feel, deep, clearly earthy tones, firm pressure in the finish, lots of tobacco." Falstaff

"Black cherry, chocolate, new leather, spice and menthol all flesh out in a wine that possesses notable power. Today, Scrio is mostly a wine of texture and density, while varietal notes are not especially evident. The oak is also quite dominant." Antonio Galloni

"Deep and saturated in both color and fruit, with core flavors of ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry, this red also offers interwoven notes of earth, vanilla, licorice and black pepper. This is solidly built, yet also polished and balanced, with a long, palate-staining finish." Wine Spectator

"It's worth noting that the Scrio was not made in 2014, as Syrah did not reach the right maturity for the quality Le Macchiole looks for. The 2015 growing season wasn't much easier, with 15 days of extreme heat in July. August brought cooler weather, and so they tried to slow down the ripening process by doing very little green harvest. This vintage is marked by more pepper than fruit, but it's still a beautiful effort, and I see a lot of potential for aging this wine. The 2015 Scrio is made with a more reductive approach overall, and this vintage needs a year or two to open fully. Only 3,000 bottles were made." Robert Parker

"A stunning syrah; the real McCoy for the variety. The depth of aroma takes your breath away with bark, tea leaves, peppermint, dried rosemary, thyme, sage, pressed violets, cedar, creme de cassis, blackcurrants and lavender. The palate is incredibly tight and yet, profound in its delivery of flavors. Full body, layer upon layer of fruit of every color on the spectrum, pinpoint acidity and a finish that seems endless." James Suckling

Very refined, the Merlot Messorio with its great balance and finesse. Deeply dense and full-bodied, when the tannins have relaxed in the coming years, this wine will reach a fascinating perfection. SUPERIORE.DE

"Notes of blackcurrant, leather, tea and macchia; powerful, compact and balanced on the palate, ending with aromas of blackberry confit and herbs, very fresh and surprisingly youthful overall". Vinum

"Rich, deep dark ruby with a slight blue hue. Dense, exuberant nose, rich fruit, plums, blackberries and cassis. On the palate it is polished and lardy, develops with a lot of fine-grained tannin, salty, much rich, dark berry fruit, in the aftertaste a nice play between tobacco and fruit". Falstaff

"The 2011 Messorio takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. Rich and explosive to the core, the 2011 boasts stunning intensity and depth. Today, the 2011 is painfully young and packed with tannin. Even with all of its size, the 2011 retains gorgeous aromatic complexity and tons of nuance. This is a fabulous showing from Le Macchiole." Antonio Galloni

"Amazing aromas of sexy, decadent fruit with blackberry, dark chocolate and cedar. Full body with fine tannins and a long, long finish." James Suckling

"A pure expression of Merlot, the 2011 Messorio is a gorgeous wine that is already drinking at near-optimal performance now. It will be exciting to see where five to ten more years of cellar evolution take it. Cinzia Merli and her vineyard team took care to harvest the early-ripening varietal before autumn heat spikes. In fact, the integrity of the fruit is impeccable and you don’t get any of the jammy notes that are common in this warm vintage. The bouquet is broad and approachable with intense cherry, chocolate and tobacco. Supporting aromas of cola, grilled herb and exotic spice flesh out the finish. The tannins are plump and sweet." Robert Parker

"Bright, intense ruby violet. Wonderfully seductive nose, smells of raspberries, blackberries, behind it fine chocolate. Initially a little timid, shows a lot of juicy berry fruit, then sets off and opens in many layers with finely woven tannin, builds up for a long time, in the finale firm and with nice pressure."Falstaff

"I have tasted this wine a number of times and it ranges from 97 to 98 points in my scoring. The subtlety and depth to this is amazing. Aromas of ripe fruit, chili powder, and toasted oak with hints of rosemary follow through to a full body, with very fine tannins and a long finish. Integrated and attractive now, but better in 2014."James Suckling

Scrio - great Tuscan Syrah from Le Macchiole - is a real beauty. The persistent bouquet offers aromas of dark berries and cured meat, warm and balsamic on the palate with great intensity and dynamism, extracted and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Scrio, Le Macchiole’s Syrah, is fabulous. As always, Scrio is more a wine of the estate than a varietal expression of Syrah. That is obvious. Even so, the wine’s density, persistence and overall complexity make it compelling. Time in the glass brings out hints of cedar, smoke, sweet pipe tobacco and rose petal to play off a core of vibrant red Syrah fruit. I would give the 2017 a few years for the aromatics to develop. This is very nicely done. Sadly, the year required severe selection that reduced production by around 40%." Vinous

"The Le Macchiole 2017 Scrio is a pure expression of Syrah that shows more similarities to the variety when grown in France than it does California, Australia or even the rest of Tuscany for that matter. Instead of the peppery charred meat or barbecued aromas you often get in New World Syrah, this wine points to blackberry, some black olive, rum cake, crème de cassis or chocolate-covered cherries. Although the wine is varietally pure, it doesn't really scream Syrah in any sort of obvious or banal manner. The tannins are more gripping in this hot vintage, and the wine spreads over the palate with a creamy, almost waxy texture that is enduring and deep." Robert Parker

"Intense aromas of blackcurrants, spices and black licorice with some lavender and rosemary. It’s full-bodied and layered with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Black pepper comes through. It’s tensioned and structured. Nicely proportioned." James Suckling

Messorio has been one of Italy's best and rarest Merlots for over a decade. 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 second to none. SUPERIORE.DE

"Messorio is a wine that beautifully reflects the characteristics of the vintage and is a very accurate measuring stick of how any single vintage will eventually perform both in terms of near-term accessibility and long-term cellar aging. That said, the Le Macchiole 2017 Messorio plays its strongest cards in terms of mouthfeel and texture, revealing a robust structure and firmly integrated tannins that come from both the richly concentrated fruit and the careful use of oak. The wine shows a heavy center of gravity and a solid base of dark fruit that is enhanced by caramel, brown sugar, spice and creamy blackberry preserves. It does offer immediate appeal, but I'd wait a few more years to give this 2017 Messorio more time to flesh out and evolve." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Messorio is classy and polished to the core. It is also incredibly young and not at all forthcoming. Messorio is a wine that needs a surprising amount of time in bottle to truly shine. I expect that will be the case here as well. Today, the 2017 is all about fruit and density. Time in the cellar should allow for its aromatics to emerge more fully. Overall, though, this is a fairly restrained style, in keeping with the showing of 2017 Bolgheri reds more broadly. All the elements come together so gracefully in this striking wine." Vinous

"This wine shows beautiful clarity and class on the nose with roses, tar, currants, green and black olives and plums. It’s exceptionally fine-tannined with such polish and finesse. So sophisticated and intense for this vintage. Long, chewy finish, yet this is mouth-filling and caressing." James Suckling