Le Macioche

For some years now, Le Macioche has been owned by one of Italy's largest wine families. The Cotarella clan acquired this boutique winery a few years ago, and since then the wines have experienced a real leap in quality. This is the second vintage under the full control of the family and it is a beautiful Brunello with controlled ripeness and highly precise tannins, texture and preserved freshness. It literally radiates from the glass with bright berry intensity and a smoky blend of black raspberry and plum. The palate is energetic and fresh, with hints of violets and lavender. It impressively proves that the winery is now in the best hands. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Le Macioche 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cotarella offers tart fruit and bright cherry aromas. There is some oak spice, but more prominent are the varietal aromas of crushed stone, pencil shaving, dried rose and grilled herb. The mouthfeel shows medium length with bright acidity. Give it a few more years to soften and integrate." Wine Advocate

"Nice, earthy savoriness with dried strawberry, orange and licorice, showing some depth and complexity. Firm, but polished, with a ripe and juicy berry fruit profile and a long, savory finish." James Suckling

"This is slippery, with cherry, raspberry, peony and stony mineral flavors embedding the glycerol texture. Revealing earth and underbrush details, this feels poised to integrate and emerge from its shell in 2 to 3 years. Features fine balance, even if the finish is compact now." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino impresses with a rich blend of crushed red and black fruits complemented by hints of brown spice and mocha. It washes across the palate, energetic yet potent, drenching all that it touches with masses of mineral-intense notes of cherry and plum. A fine web of tannins embrace the senses through the finish, leaving hints of licorice and violet florals to resonate on. Le Macioche comes across as one of the most well-tailored and structured wines of the vintage. It’s a classic in the making. Nicely done." Vinous

"The brooding nose is all spices and medicinal herbs, old leather and cigar box, though dried cherries, figs and dark chocolate lurk underneath and reveal themselves more clearly on the palate, next to palate-stripping tannins that guarantee age." Wine Enthusiast

2019 was a strong year in Montalcino and this vintage shows balance and proud character. Opens with bright cherry fruit, menthol, balsamic herbs, minerals and soft earthy tones. On the palate, mint and sage form the backdrop to bright cherry with a hint of sweet spice. It's feminine and remarkably pretty, showing red fruits with savoury minerals and inner flowers that accumulate towards the finish. The tannins are round and nuanced, classically dry but in no way fatiguing or austere. This symmetry and great length are simply fascinating. SUPERIORE.DE

"Founded by the Mazzocchi family in the 1980s, who restructured the estate and planted 3 hectares of vineyards. Since 2017, the winery has been owned by the brothers Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella, who work as Oenologist. The 2019 shows its wonderfully fragrant side. In addition to raspberries and undergrowth, there are nuances of strawberry trees that are reminiscent of the vegetation of this high-altitude location. The core consists of unadulterated red fruit. Deliciously tart redcurrants and cranberries are framed by strong, youthful tannins. I love the bite and tangy acidity in this wine." Decanter

"Lots of dark fruits with dried lavender, followed by allspice and a hint of citrus. Medium body with round and chewy tannins. Healthy and muscular." James Suckling

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino wafts from the glass with an airy, minty freshness, while dusty dried flowers, strawberries and pine shavings join in. The Brunello di Montalcino presents itself with soft textures and cool mineral notes that complement its seductively ripe red berry fruit. It retains a fabulous energy throughout. Despite its classic tannic profile and lingering tart wild berry concentration, it leaves your mouth watering. The 2019 from Le Macioche has a wonderful combination of power and purity. This winery has raised the bar with every vintage." Vinous

"This Brunello combines vivid cherry, strawberry and chocolate aromas and flavors with savory notes of eucalyptus, spice, mineral and tobacco. Solidly structured yet balanced, with fine-grained tannins shoring up the lengthy finish." Wine Spectator

Le Macioche is a jewel of a vineyard with five hectares of vines and a picturesque forester's house surrounded by cypress trees. Cotarellas Riserva from the top 2016 vintage has a lot to offer and is characterised by firm, concentrated tannins and dense fruit. Forest berries, medicinal herbs, cola and potting soil on the nose. On the palate, red plums, dried cherries and lemon juice provide complexity and depth alongside the beautiful fruit centre. This is followed by a full body, perfect fine-grained tannins and a subtle, elegant final. Despite its complexity, this Riserva also displays a certain intensity and rigour. The bottles are numbered, less than 100 magnum bottles were bottled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Violet, camphor and mocha aromas pour from the glass, along with a hint of baked plum. The palate is soft and full-bodied, with fleshy flavours of black cherries, liquorice and tobacco as well as velvety tannins. It is already drinking well, but will continue to give pleasure for several years." Wine Enthusiast

"Just a stone's throw from the famous Salicutti winery, Le Macioche is a well-ventilated estate with warm, south-east to south-west facing vineyards. The scent of wild strawberries, cedar wood and rooibos tea is reminiscent of the altitude. The wine is fluid and light on its feet, with juicy acidity and finesse supported by terracotta-like tannins. A hint of toast marries with crisp redcurrants. It's ready to drink now, but its creeping depth will carry it for over a decade. There's already a fair amount of sediment, so make sure you decant it." Decanter

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva presents a dusty bouquet, where cedar shavings and dried roses pave the way to spiced cherries and a hint of sweet smoke. The wine feels light and delicate, with a silky texture that carries a vibrant mix of pure plum and strawberry fruit across the palate. The tannins kick in late and overwhelm the senses until the final, while inner flowers echo over a tactile layer of savoury minerals. This wine is absolutely classic, but it needs time to unwind. Very well done!" Vinous

"Le Macioche's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Cotarella (sealed with a red wax capsule) is a polished expression of Sangiovese with beautifully ripened fruit framed by oak toast, spice and campfire ash. The wine shows a sweet, velvety side with dried cherry and redcurrant flavours, but these secondary oak influences play only a supporting role. The texture and length of the wine are further enhanced by cellar ageing. Any more toast would be too much." Wine Advocate

"Rich and dense, with flavours of cherries, raspberries, blackcurrants, violets, minerals and spices. The backbone of acidity provides definition and keeps this red wine lively from start to finish. Balanced, long and with outstanding potential." Wine Spectator