Awards/Ratings

James Suckling 93; Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92; Vinous 93; Falstaff 94; Wine Spectator ~91-93 (various reviews)

Tasting Note

Pure Merlot with dark plum, blackberry, tobacco, cedar and leather; savory herbal notes, bright acidity, chewy but smooth tannins and a long, slightly savory finish.

Food Pairing

Western: roasted lamb, beef ragu, grilled steak, aged pecorino, mushroom risotto. Asian: Peking duck, char siu, Korean BBQ (bulgogi), beef rendang, soy-miso glazed aubergine.

Production Method

Hand-harvested; fermentation in concrete and stainless-steel with ~20–25 day maceration; aged 18–20 months in new French oak barriques, then bottled after additional élevage.

Vineyard Info

Le Macchiole, founded 1983 in Bolgheri by Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli; family-run, organically farmed estate known for single-varietal flagship wines like Messorio.