Wine Advisor
Le Macchiole, Messorio 2006
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2006 Messorio (Merlot) is off the charts. This extraordinary wine possesses a breathtaking combination of super-ripe fruit that has been achieved with remarkable freshness, vibrancy and clarity. There is superb transparency to the wine’s fruit, along with a sublime finish that lasts forever. Ideally a few years of cellaring are called for, but readers will have a hard time exercising such patience. This profound Messorio from proprietor Cinzia Merli and oenologist Luca D’Attoma left me speechless. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Like many estates in Bolgheri, Le Macchiole has some beautiful wines that are coming into the market shortly. I visited the estate at the tail end of the 2006 harvest and already the early buzz in the air was palpable. Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2006 is simply a flat-out great Messorio. Today it is the wine’s density and structure that are most evident, but with time in the glass the inner perfume, minerality and sheer pedigree begin to emerge. This is a vintage that combines elements of sumptuous ripeness and structure to a degree that is highly unusual for Bolgheri. As such, the 2006 Messorio is best left alone for perhaps as long as another decade. When the wine finally emerges it will be spectacular. Hints of new leather, licorice and crushed rocks linger on the refined, classy finish. Anticipated maturity: 2021-2031.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2006 Messorio (Merlot) is off the charts. This extraordinary wine possesses a breathtaking combination of super-ripe fruit that has been achieved with remarkable freshness, vibrancy and clarity. There is superb transparency to the wine’s fruit, along with a sublime finish that lasts forever. Ideally a few years of cellaring are called for but readers will have a hard time exercising such patience. This profound Messorio from proprietor Cinzia Merli and oenologist Luca d’Attoma left me speechless. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Like many estates in Bolgheri, Le Macchiole has some beautiful wines that are coming into the market shortly. I visited the estate at the tail end of the 2006 harvest and already the early buzz in the air was palpable. Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2006 is simply a flat-out great Messorio. Today it is the wine's density and structure that are most evident, but with time in the glass the inner perfume, minerality and sheer pedigree begin to emerge. This is a vintage that combines elements of sumptuous ripeness and structure to a degree that is highly unusual for Bolgheri. As such, the 2006 Messorio is best left alone for perhaps as long as another decade. When the wine finally emerges it will be spectacular. Hints of new leather, licorice and crushed rocks linger on the refined, classy finish.
Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata
(100% merlot; 14% alcohol) Fully saturated deep ruby. Knockout nose reads like a textbook on world-class merlot from a warm site: ripe blackberry, blueberry, coffee, cocoa, violet and minerals. The palate delivers utterly pure, mesmerizingly deep flavors of cassis, delicate smoky plum and minerals. Wonderful balancing acidity keeps the ripe fruit dancing on your taste buds and extends the flavors on the long, creamy finish. This is probably the best young Messorio I have ever tasted, and my score might even be a little stingy. Like all recent vintages of Messorio, it did a complete turnaround a couple years after the vintage: six months ago it was wildly better than it was upon release, and now it's even finer. Time will tell if this beauty will ultimately outperform the great 2001; I'm betting it will.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2006 is simply a flat-out great Messorio. Today it is the wine's density and structure that are most evident, but with time in the glass the inner perfume, minerality and sheer pedigree begin to emerge. This is a vintage that combines elements of sumptuous ripeness and structure to a degree that is highly unusual for Bolgheri. As such, the 2006 Messorio is best left alone for perhaps as long as another decade. When the wine finally emerges it will be spectacular. Hints of new leather, licorice and crushed rocks linger on the refined, classy finish.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
So much olive on the nose, like olive oil. And then I find dark fruits. Flowers too. Full and velvety, wtih beautiful tannins. And a long long finish. It’s a wine that makes you think.
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.