Le Macchiole
Le Macchiole Messorio
2004
Messorio is Le Macchiole's celebrated flagship wine from Bolgheri, crafted as a pure Merlot expression. A pioneer among Tuscany's Super Tuscan movement, it has earned international acclaim for its richness, elegance and exceptional ageing potential.
Country
Italy
Region
Tuscany - Bolgheri
More information
Producer
Le Macchiole is a defining estate within Bolgheri DOC and one of the most respected producers of single-varietal international wines in coastal Tuscany. Founded in 1983 by Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli near the village of Bolgheri, the property has been guided by Cinzia Merli since Eugenio's death in 2002. The estate is distinguished by its commitment to monovarietal bottlings, meticulous site expression and wines of unusual refinement and depth.
Quick Facts
- Location: Bolgheri, Maremma coast, Tuscany, Italy
- Founded: 1983
- Founders: Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli
- Leadership: Cinzia Merli, since 2002
- Appellation: Bolgheri DOC
- Principal grapes: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Estate vineyards: Approximately 24 hectares
- Soils: Clay, sand and gravel of alluvial and marine origin
- Signature wine: Paleo Rosso (100% Cabernet Franc)
- Flagship Merlot: Messorio
- Flagship Syrah: Scrio
- Style: Structured, aromatic and long-lived monovarietal expressions
- Viticulture: Low yields, careful parcel selection and sustainable practices
Pioneers of Monovarietal Bolgheri
When Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli planted their first vines in the early 1980s, Bolgheri remained an emerging viticultural zone largely defined by blends. Le Macchiole followed a different path. From 1989 onwards, the estate began bottling its wines as pure expressions of single varieties—an approach that was then uncommon in Tuscany and virtually unprecedented along the Maremma coast.
Paleo Rosso, initially a Sangiovese-dominated blend, became 100% Cabernet Franc with the 2001 vintage. Messorio has been produced entirely from Merlot since 1994, while Scrio, introduced with the 2000 vintage, is crafted solely from Syrah. This commitment to monovarietal precision allowed Le Macchiole to explore the distinctive potential of each variety within Bolgheri's maritime terroir.
The Coastal Vineyards of Bolgheri
Le Macchiole's vineyards occupy approximately 24 hectares on gently undulating terrain just a few kilometres from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The proximity to the Mediterranean moderates temperature extremes throughout the growing season and contributes a saline minerality to the wines.
Soils vary across the estate but are predominantly composed of clay, sand and gravel formed through ancient alluvial deposits and marine influences. These well-drained, mineral-rich substrates suit Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah particularly well, encouraging deep rooting and concentrated fruit while maintaining natural freshness.
The estate practices low-density planting with careful yield management and selective hand harvesting. Attention to canopy balance and parcel-specific ripening allows each variety to develop aromatic complexity and structural definition before picking.
Precision and Restraint in the Cellar
Winemaking at Le Macchiole reflects a philosophy of minimal intervention and patient maturation. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel, followed by extended maceration to extract colour, structure and fine-grained tannins without harshness.
Each wine is aged separately in French oak barriques, with new oak percentages adjusted according to the character of the vintage and variety. Paleo Rosso typically sees around 18 months in barrel, while Messorio and Scrio receive slightly longer élevage to integrate their more muscular structures.
The resulting wines combine aromatic purity with textural richness and a signature elegance. Paleo Rosso offers violet, red berry and graphite with refined tannins and remarkable persistence. Messorio delivers darker fruit, greater density and velvety depth. Scrio is marked by spice, blackberry and floral complexity with a savoury, mineral finish. All three are built for extended cellaring, typically reaching full expression after a decade or more in bottle.
Country
Region
Tuscany - Bolgheri
Bolgheri is widely regarded as one of Italy's most influential wine regions and the birthplace of the Super Tuscan movement that revolutionised Italian winemaking in the late 20th century. Located on the Tuscan coast in central Italy, Bolgheri broke from traditional Italian grape varieties and classifications to produce Bordeaux-inspired blends that achieved international acclaim and redefined what Italian fine wine could be. Today the region represents the benchmark for modern Italian winemaking and produces some of the country's most collectible bottles.
The region benefits from a distinctive maritime climate influenced by the Tyrrhenian Sea, which moderates temperatures and extends the growing season. Sandy clay and gravel soils provide ideal drainage and concentration for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, while coastal breezes preserve natural acidity and freshness. Granted DOC status in 1994, Bolgheri encompasses both varietal wines and blends, with the prestigious Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC established in 2013 exclusively for Tenuta San Guido's legendary Sassicaia—Italy's first internationally recognised Super Tuscan and the wine that inspired an entire movement.
Bolgheri is home to several iconic estates that have achieved global recognition. Tenuta San Guido produces the celebrated Sassicaia, while Ornellaia, Masseto, Le Macchiole, Grattamacco and Guado al Tasso continue to produce refined and powerful wines that command respect from collectors worldwide. These producers have elevated Bolgheri to a status that rivals Bordeaux's finest appellations and established the region as synonymous with exceptional quality and visionary winemaking.
Whether exploring legendary vintages, prestigious estates or benchmark Super Tuscan blends, Bolgheri offers an exceptional journey through one of Italy's most dynamic wine regions. Discover Bolgheri wines, compare prices from trusted merchants across Europe and find the best offers with Sipfind.
Grapes
Merlot is one of the world’s most important red wine grapes, celebrated for its generous fruit, supple texture and ability to produce wines ranging from approachable and elegant to exceptionally complex and long-lived. Originating in Bordeaux, France, Merlot is particularly associated with the Right Bank, where it forms the foundation of many of the prestigious wines of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion.
Merlot typically expresses flavours and aromas of plum, black cherry, blackberry and red fruits, often developing notes of chocolate, tobacco, cedar, herbs and earthy complexity with maturation. Its naturally rounded texture and generally softer tannin profile distinguish it from Cabernet Sauvignon, although the finest examples can possess considerable structure, freshness and ageing potential.
In Pomerol, Merlot reaches some of its most celebrated expressions, particularly on the appellation’s clay-rich soils, producing wines of remarkable concentration, texture and complexity. In Saint-Émilion, it is commonly blended with Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon, creating wines that combine ripe fruit with structure, aromatic complexity and longevity.
Beyond Bordeaux, Merlot is widely cultivated in Italy, California, Washington State, Chile and other major wine regions. It can be produced as a varietal wine or used as a central component of blends, where its fruit and texture complement more structured grape varieties.
From the great Merlot-based wines of Bordeaux’s Right Bank to leading expressions around the world, Merlot’s combination of rich fruit, refined texture and capacity to express terroir has established it as one of the defining varieties of fine red wine.
History and Style
Messorio is the flagship wine of Le Macchiole, one of Bolgheri's most innovative and quality-driven estates. First produced in 1994, this single-varietal Merlot emerged during Tuscany's Super Tuscan revolution, when pioneering producers challenged traditional regulations to create world-class wines outside conventional DOC frameworks. The name Messorio refers to the specific vineyard plot from which the grapes are sourced, reflecting the estate's commitment to terroir-driven winemaking.
Quick Facts
- Producer: Le Macchiole
- Classification: Super Tuscan / Bolgheri DOC
- Region: Tuscany
- Appellation: Bolgheri DOC
- Country: Italy
- Style: Full-bodied Super Tuscan Merlot
- Grape Composition: 100% Merlot
- Ageing Potential: 15-25+ years from vintage
- Alcohol (ABV): 14-15%
- Tasting Profile: Blackberry, plum, black cherry, chocolate, espresso, Mediterranean herbs, spice
- Food Pairing: Grilled beef, braised lamb, wild boar, aged Pecorino, truffle dishes
- Serving Temperature: 16-18°C
- Bottle Status: Flagship
- Vintage: Various vintages (vintage-dated wine)
Vineyard, Terroir and Style
Le Macchiole's vineyards benefit from Bolgheri's distinctive maritime climate, where cooling coastal breezes moderate the Tuscan sun and create ideal conditions for late-ripening varieties like Merlot. The estate's proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea, combined with diverse soils ranging from clay to gravel, allows for remarkable concentration and aromatic complexity. Under the guidance of the Campolmi family and renowned consultant Luca D'Attoma, Le Macchiole has elevated Messorio to iconic status within Italy's fine wine landscape.
History and Reputation
Messorio expresses Merlot's full potential with remarkable depth and structure. The wine typically shows intense dark fruit character—blackberry, plum, black cherry—interwoven with notes of chocolate, espresso, Mediterranean herbs and subtle spice. Extended ageing in French oak barriques adds layers of complexity while maintaining the wine's elegant framework. Full-bodied yet refined, Messorio combines power with precision, offering both immediate pleasure and decades of cellaring potential.
Compare prices for Messorio across premium retailers on Sipfind and discover why this Bolgheri icon continues to captivate collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.