by NEAL MARTIN
If you love Merlot, I have a special treat this year. I sat down with Cinzia Merli and her winemaking staff for a small vertical of some of the best vintages of Messorio ever made (2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and the current release 2013). In addition to this special tasting, I reviewed Le Macchiole’s other famous wines such as the Cabernet Franc Paleo and Syrah Scrio. These ar...
Le Macchiole can best be defined as the “Boutique Bolgheri.” Today, Bolgheri is among Italy’s most famed wine producing regions, but this seemed far from a possibility in 1983, the year Le Macchiole was founded and a time when the area was known simply for a close proximity to the sea and having abundant fruit and grain agriculture. Yet, two natives of Bolgheri, Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli, were devoted to the idea of vine growing in the...
Le Macchiole has always been aware of swimming against the tide by creating new trends. Right from the start, the estate distinguished itself by choosing to invest first in vineyard research before even planning the cellar. They were the first to plant Syrah, the first to produce a 100% Cabernet Franc, the first to adopt high density planting, up to 10,000 vine-stocks per hectare, and low yields, at the most, one kilo of grapes per vine-stock....
Wine is made in the vineyards, therefore intervention in the cellar is reduced to a minimum. Le Macchiole, still today, is a project in evolution with continual experimentation going on regarding methods of vinification, fining, and micro-vinification for single vineyards. This dedication and enthusiasm translates into wines of special character; each one with his own story. Like Cinzia says, the wines are their children: Paleo Bianco, Bolgher...
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