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 introduction to the great world of Le Macchiole wines. SUPERIORE.DE

" Aromas of plums, herbs and chocolate; the base smooth, juicy texture, a lot of melt, juice and great length. Convinces with its fruity and elegant style." Vinum

"The Le Macchiole 2018 Bolgheri Rosso sports a buoyant and cheerful personality with plenty of fruity freshness, focused mostly on plum, black cherry and cassis. The wine's medium-bodied mouthfeel is freshened up by the balanced acidity that comes so easily in this cool but classic vintage. There are delicate hints of Mediterranean herb and dried mint on the close. This wine would make a fine partner to ravioli stuffed with ricotta and cooked in butter." Robert Parker

"Aromas of currants, dried flowers and black licorice follow through to a full to medium body with medium chewy tannins and a long, fine finish. A blend of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Drink in 2022 and onwards." James Suckling

Paleo - unmistakable Cabernet Franc and one of the most important wines of Bolgheri, full of elegance and class. The name comes rather unspectacularly from a weed that was long ago removed from the vineyards of Le Macchiole. Deep 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 seeds. Wonderfully structured and with a long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Stylish ripe red fruit and nutty oak nose with a hint of stones underneath. Succulent, supple red fruit underpinned by grainy tannins. A truly stylish wine." Jancis Robinson

"Aromas and flavors of black currant, bell pepper, cedar and lead pencil shavings abound in this red. Expressive and elegant, with a supple texture matched to a firm backbone of tannins and acidity. Offers a lingering spicy aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Really beautiful black fruit with freshly roasted coffee-bean aromas that follow through to a full body with silky and lightly chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Decadent." James Suckling

"Paleo in its secretive pre-release stage. The pure red fruit hidden away in the depths of the wine hints at the elegant complexity of which Cabernet Franc (100%) is capable in Bolgheri. Soft and round with great volume on the palate and an infinite finish. A long-distance runner." Decanter

"Here's another pure varietal expression, this time Cabernet Franc, and it is one for the ages. The 2015 edition of the Paleo was hot with nutty notes, whereas the 2016 Paleo is tighter and fresher. There is tension and precision here, rendering beautifully pastoral tones of green olive and herbs. You'll pick up notes of moist earth along with some spice. The freshness is truly epic, with well-integrated tannins. When you hit the licorice tones, you'll finally appreciate the depth and dimension of this wine. This is a true beauty, with enormous depth, concentration and power." Robert Parker

"Made entirely with Cabernet Franc, this radiant red opens with intense aromas of black currant, Mediterranean scrub, blue flower and camphor aromas. On the supremely elegant palate, supple tannins and bright acidity accompany cassis, black raspberry, crushed herb and licorice before a cedar finish. It's smooth, radiant and delicious, with great energy." Wine Enthusiast

"A wine of breathtaking beauty, the 2016 Paleo Rosso possesses off the charts vertical intensity. Sweet floral and spiced notes soar out of the glass in a stunning wine endowed with fabulous depth in all of its dimensions. Cedar, mocha, rose petal, red plum and menthol are bright and beautifully sculpted. Paleo Rosso shows just how profound Cabernet Franc can be on the Tuscan Coast. This is a superb edition of the wine that, in my view, is the Macchiole flagship." Vinous

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

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 the best and rarest Merlots in Italy for over a decade. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never exaggerated. In the bouquet 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

"Nutty oak over brooding, sweet, red fruit. Lots of juice and firm tannins on the palate, but sensationally balanced. This perfection comes at a price, though." Jancis Robinson

"Shows very ripe aromas on the nose with lightly burnt oranges, black olives and fresh dark berries and hints of walnuts, yet the palate is driven and very bright with ultra-fine tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows definition and tension." James Suckling

"Messorio is made from the estate's best selection of Merlot grapes. The 2016 vintage has produced an extremely balanced wine with great intensity, full of aromas of mediterranean herbs, juniper, meat and some butteriness. However, it's on the palate that it shows its full depth, with a full, creamy frame, thick on the finish yet ripe and precise. Cloves, curry and other spicy notes from oak ageing are still to be integrated, yet the wine already provides a warm caress." Decanter

"Dense and concentrated, featuring ripe blackberry and black cherry flavors. Serious tannins add structure, as does the lively acidity. All the elements cascade through the long, saturated finish, where iron, tobacco and herb notes emerge. The oak is well-integrated, and this is racy in the end." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Messorio is the most reticent of Le Macchiole's 2016s. Dense and closed in on itself. Stylistically, Messorio is the wine in this range that lies closest to the Macchiole style of years past. Readers will have to be patient with 2016. Time in the glass softens the wine nicely but it will be at least a few years before it is close to being ready to drink. The wine's persistence and overall harmony bode very well for the future." Vinous

"This expression of Merlot is explosive and profound. The 2016 Messorio presents an absolute textbook rendition of Merlot that can be read and appreciated in terms of the layering and overlapping textures of the wine as it rolls over the palate. There is a point of sweetness on the palate, and the wine also shows a bright point of acidity that makes for a great balancing act. I tasted this wine twice, and at my first tasting, I tried it next to the 2015 vintage, thus putting me in a better position to directly compare the two. Whereas the 2015 edition came off as more velvety and soft, the 2016 vintage displays exceptionally crafted precision. This is an incredible wine." Robert Parker

Scrio, the magnificent Tuscan Syrah of 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, dark ruby violet. The nose is sparkling clean and precise, with plenty of ripe dark berries, elderberries and blackberries, fine spice components. Dresses the mouth full, looks very juicy, then opens with fine-meshed tannin that spreads in many layers, sanded and long after tobacco." Falstaff

"The 2012 Scrio is a unique and dare I say atypical expression of Syrah. The bouquet presents big intensity with cola, balsam herb andlicorice. At the back are tones of tar, Teriyaki sauce and barbecuesmoke. I don't think I have ever tasted a Syrah quite like this. It shows a level of balsam intensity that I have never previously encountered. The bouquet glows with Tuscan sunshine." Robert Parker

"The 2012 Scrio is decidedly lithe in this vintage, with gorgeous aromatics and terrific overall balance. Rose petal, white pepper, mintand red-fleshed stone fruit unfold in a mid-weight, gracious Scrio built on understated finesse." Antonio Galloni

"Shades of vanilla and whiskey cask frame the violet aromas and black cherry and raspberry fruit in this polished red. Dense, lively and balanced, with the after taste echoing fruit and black pepper. Has the concentration to age." Wine Spectator

"A decadent syrah with loads of meat, dark fruits and hints of vanilla. Full-bodied, round and chewy yet leading to a long, long finish of fruit that turns to black pepper." James Suckling

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

"Fleshy, intense ruby violet. Opened with much appealing, sweet fruit, after pickled raspberries, blueberries, behind it nice cardamom notes. Clear and straight on the palate, a lot of juicy fruit, especially blueberry, opens with fine-meshed tannin, builds up for a long time, in the finale long sweet enamel." Falstaff

"The 2013 Scrio is an opulent, generous and engaging wine. Itreveals an all-Syrah personality with ample layers of dark fruit, blackberry, spice, cured meat, leather and bacon fat. Its integration is absolutely seamless. Scrio is dark and impenetrable in terms of appearance and presentation. The bouquet and the mouthfeel are long and luscious. You can count the length of the finish in many, many long seconds. Only 5,000 bottles are made. In terms of its aging potential, this Tuscan Syrah has the inner energy to last two decades or more." Robert Parker

"Le Macchiole's 2013 Scrio is a deep, dense wine built on a core ofserious fruit. Dark, powerful and inviting, the 2013 possesses strikingnuance throughout, especially in the expression of fruit. Creamy, silkytannins add to an impression of generosity. It will be interesting tosee if more varietal aromatics develop in bottle. Today, the Scrio is awine decidedly built on primary notes." Antonio Galloni

"Wow. This is the best syrah in Tuscany this year with incredibledepth and beauty. The texture is so plush yet polished and caressing. Full body. The finish of chocolate, hazelnuts, smoked meat and fruitlasts for minutes." James Suckling

"This is meaty, exhibiting iron, blackberry, cracked pepper andsanguine aromas and flavors shaded by spicy oak notes. Powerful anddense, this could still benefit from aging but would be approachable with something like a juicy, grilled steak." Wine Spectator

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

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

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

"Sparkling, intense ruby with violet shimmer. Opened in the nose with notes of cedar wood, fine spiciness, followed by full fruit. On the palate full and clear, at first slightly spicy components, then unfolds with dense, fine tannin in many layers, long and persistent, in the finale lots of fresh fruit." Falstaff

"Fine spicy nose, notes of berries and flowers; soft and supple in the mouth, tannins and acidity perfectly balanced, harmonious finish. "Pleases with its fresh style, elegance and length. Vinum

"A wine with great structure and muscular tone. It is full-bodied with chewy tannins that remain polished and very pretty. The length and fruit are fantastic; it goes on for minutes." James Suckling

"The 2010 Messorio boasts stunning depth and richness. Over the last few months, the 2010 has found a new level of finesse that wasn't apparent earlier this year. Hints of dark cherry, plum, cloves and tar flesh out on the huge, powerful finish." Antonio Galloni

"... This is an expertly crafted Merlot that offers so much in terms of charm, intensity and finesse. The opulence of its dark fruit and black cherry is offset against lingering tones of spice and leather. You'll need to wait a bit." Robert Parker