2013 Le Macchiole Pre-Shipment Offer
Vintage Report
The 2013 is, without a doubt, one of best vintages ever produced in Bolgheri and one of Le Macchiole’s most interesting, complete and harmonious harvests. After a rainy winter season, the climate and soil remained cold until late May, which slowed down the grapes’ flowering and growth for about 10-15 days and, consequently, reduced the yield.
Temperatures began rising around mid-July, not too high but quite fluctuating, and the veraison process got off to a slow start in late July. The slow and homogeneous ripening of the clusters led to perfect phenolic maturation and preservation of varietal character.
Harvesting of red grapes began the first week of September with the Merlot and ended on October 10 with the Cabernet Franc.
The reds reflect the perfect climate conditions of the 2013 harvest:well-balanced tannins, intense aromatic level and a level of acidity that gives immediate drinkability and considerable ageing potential.
Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate (Oct 2016)
'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 are some of the finest wines I have tasted from this estate. For almost a quarter of a century, Le Macchiole was guided by the expert hand of consulting enologist Luca D'Attoma. Luca left this project two years ago to pursue other estates. All the wines presented here were made by Luca nonetheless.
Le Macchiole was founded in 1983 but by the mid-1990's the estate wanted to make a pure expression of Merlot. Neighboring Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was already making Masseto, a wine that would become a source of inspiration for many vintners in Bolgheri. Le Macchiole had already planted Merlot to use in its blended reds. They identified the best hectare of the grape, which was slowly enlarged to two hectares (replanted at 10,000 vines per hectare). The soils exhibit veins of mixed limestone clay that run east to west along this single parcel. At almost 20 years old, the vines are in their prime production years today. The excellent 2013 vintage underlines this fact. Le Macchiole produces anywhere from 10,000 to 11,000 bottles of Messorio per year.'
Pre-shipment Offer & Prices
This is a pre-shipment offer and therefore the cheapest possible price these wines will be available to buy. In Bond prices are displayed, but the wines are also available Duty Paid. Larger formats are also available in very limited quantities.
Ordering
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* Vinous Media Review *
'This is another stellar set of wines from Le Macchiole. Proprietor Cinzia Merli and her winemaker Luca Rettondini continue to make small but noticeable refinements that have brought about greater finesse in the wines.
Le Macchiole's three top wines are all outstanding in 2013. The cool, late-ripening vintage resulted in wines with striking aromatics and notable complexity.'
Antonio Galloni - Vinous Media
2013 MESSORIO Le Macchiole
Again nicely fragrant nose, violets, macerated cherries and plums, with chocolate and tobacco. Generous to start with, nice ripe acid driving the palate forward, richly fruited, cherry and plumAgain nicely fragrant nose, violets, macerated cherries and plums, with chocolate and tobacco. Generous to start with, nice ripe acid driving the palate forward, richly fruited, cherry and plum again, then twists in to a taut core, with rich tannins, some oak and then tobacco and coffee. Total harmony in all this intensity because it is ripe but not over-ripe, juicy and warmly expressive.L&S (Apr 2017)
In Bond
Duty Paid
2013 PALEO Rosso Le Macchiole
Gorgeously aromatic, blueberry, damson and cassis, touch of mocha/chocolate. Palate is sleek and ripe, bright acidity, rich dark fruit core, blueberry, cassis and plum, then complexing oak, darkGorgeously aromatic, blueberry, damson and cassis, touch of mocha/chocolate. Palate is sleek and ripe, bright acidity, rich dark fruit core, blueberry, cassis and plum, then complexing oak, dark chocolate and coffee notes. Supremely elegant, so graceful the power goes unnoticed, but slowly builds to the finish. Tannins supple and fresh. This is Luca's first vintage 'on his own'.L&S (Apr 2017)
In Bond
In Bond
Duty Paid
Duty Paid
2013 SCRIO Le Macchiole
Raspberry, floral, gentle sweet, cooked spice, aromatic and elegant, cherry and blackberry. The palate has drive and grip, taut tannins, deep core of dark fruit, blackberry and raspberry, envelopingRaspberry, floral, gentle sweet, cooked spice, aromatic and elegant, cherry and blackberry. The palate has drive and grip, taut tannins, deep core of dark fruit, blackberry and raspberry, enveloping fragrant spice, aromatic, with nice tension, touch of liquorice on the finish, with juice going on nicely.L&S (Apr 2017)
In Bond
Duty Paid