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Le Macchiole - Messorio 2012
Wine
Messorio, a Merlot monovarietal, is the
winery's flagship wine. Its initial vintage
was 1994, and since then it has received
much critical acclaim, including a 100-point
score from the Wine Spectator for the 2004
vintage. Yields are managed tightly through
the use of low vigor rootstocks and drastic
thinning of clusters. The result is a complex
wine with austerity, virility and elegant
structure.
winery's flagship wine. Its initial vintage
was 1994, and since then it has received
much critical acclaim, including a 100-point
score from the Wine Spectator for the 2004
vintage. Yields are managed tightly through
the use of low vigor rootstocks and drastic
thinning of clusters. The result is a complex
wine with austerity, virility and elegant
structure.
Estate
Founded in 1983 by Cinzia Merli and her late husband Eugenio Campolmi, Le Macchiole is situated in the Bolgheri DOC area, on the Tuscan coast. Le Macchiole has 54 acres of vineyards and is known for crafting single variety wines made from 100% Cabernet Franc, 100% Merlot and 100% Syrah. Le
Macchiole is notable for being the first winery in the region to produce a monovariety Cabernet Franc wine, and the first to adopt high density planting. Cinzia manages the winery and estate with her brother Massimo Merli, winemaker Luca Rettondini and with her son Elia working alongside
them.
Vineyard
Messorio is grown on two estate parcels:
Puntone and Vignone, from notably
restricted yields (800 grams per plant).
Puntone and Vignone, from notably
restricted yields (800 grams per plant).
Vinification
Messorio saw a 25-day fermentation
maceration period in wood and steel
tanks. Aging lasted for 20 months in oak
barriques, with 75% new and 25% second
passage. Approximately 10,000 bottles were
produced.
maceration period in wood and steel
tanks. Aging lasted for 20 months in oak
barriques, with 75% new and 25% second
passage. Approximately 10,000 bottles were
produced.
Vintage
Harvest 2012 has certainly been, for Le
Macchiole, one of the longest in recent
memory (no less than 43 days!), owing to
special and favorable weather conditions
that gave grapes time to reach the optimum
technical and phenolic ripening level.
Vintage 2012 is excellent in terms of quality
and slightly below normal as far as quantity
is concerned. However, the low grape yield
gave wines with great aromatic balance,
distinguished by fresh and mineral notes,
elegant tannins and rich and juicy on the
palate.
Macchiole, one of the longest in recent
memory (no less than 43 days!), owing to
special and favorable weather conditions
that gave grapes time to reach the optimum
technical and phenolic ripening level.
Vintage 2012 is excellent in terms of quality
and slightly below normal as far as quantity
is concerned. However, the low grape yield
gave wines with great aromatic balance,
distinguished by fresh and mineral notes,
elegant tannins and rich and juicy on the
palate.