Wine Advisor
Le Macchiole, Messorio 2001
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
This was a cooler year on Coastal Tuscany and the 2001 Messorio shows the signs of a slower and more prolonged evolution. The summer months were slightly cooler than average with more evident diurnal shifts towards the end of the growing season that helped to amplify the wine’s dark fruit aromas and its beautiful sense of grace and balanced power. A deep freeze during spring months naturally reduced yields in the vineyards. The wine’s slow and steady bottle evolution has established profound depth and silky persistence. The bouquet is highly distinctive thanks to the mineral notes and a touch of delicate herb (that reminded me of green clover) that lifts so delicately from the wine’s darkened core. The tannins are smooth and beautifully polished.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2001 Messorio is virtually impossible to fully appreciate in this setting because it is so many years away from maturity. The fruit is breathtaking in its beauty but remains quite primary, with only the subtlest hints of early tertiary nuance coming through from time to time. The finish is exceptionally polished, nuanced and silky. The 2001 is tough to resist today, but it will be even better in a few years’ time. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.
Reviewed by: Daniel Thomases
The 2001 Messorio, 100% Merlot, is not quite at the level of the 1997, one of the most perfect wines ever made in Tuscany, but it is pure sumptuousness and volume from start to finish. Perfectly ripe and sweet, dense and voluminous but, oh, so velvety, an unending cascade of ravishing, spicy fruit, this is Tuscan Merlot at its best and another wine with two decades of life ahead. Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Amazingly, the 2001 Messorio (100% Merlot) reached an even higher level of profoundness. Blessed with a super-finessed nose and layers of dark, jammy, plum, mineral and toasted oak that slowly opened in the glass, it displayed extraordinary purity in its ample, generous expression of Merlot from Bolgheri. It was a phenomenal wine in every way.
About the Producer
“Le Macchiole is renowned for its Messorio which is without a doubt one of Italy’s most charismatic Merlots.” - James Suckling Founded in 1983 by Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli, Le Macchiole was one of the first wineries to be established in Bolgheri, in Tuscany. The ongoing development of this 24 hectare, organically farmed estate, has enabled the winery to become a leading Italian brand. Now under the leadership of Cinzia and her talented team, there is a rigorous approach to everything that they do. This shows itself in championing single varieties in their very top wines, in planting density and viticulture, harvest and wine making. One variety, one wine, is the philosophy adopted by the winery. All the Macchiole’s top wines are single-varietal bottling: Using Syrah to produce Scrio, Merlot to make Messorio and the Cabernet Franc is kept for the iconic wine, Paleo Rosso, recognized as one of the finest examples of Bolgheri winemaking.
