2016 Le Macchiole Pre-shipment Offer
2015 and 2016 were a rare thing: back to back vintages in much of Europe that produced outstanding wines – from Bordeaux to Burgundy, the Rhone to Tuscany. These releases have come and gone with much fanfare. With Le Macchiole though, we have had to be patient to get a first look at the 2016s.
‘The 2016s in particular are off the charts.’ Antonio Galloni on Le Macchiole, www.vinous.com
Due to the current restrictions on travel, we’ve been unable to have our normal get-together to taste with Cinzia in Italy – but thankfully the samples came to us. We are pleased to report that the excitement was well founded, so it’s a real pleasure to now be offering these stunning new releases.
The 2016s have everything you could hope for in terms of power, depth and drive – yet each of these brilliant wines also has a tell-tale ‘lift’ and precision too, distinguishing them from the fabulous but more forceful 2015s. They simply exude class and elegance. This comes in part from the near perfect growing season in 2016, but also from the continued change in direction being taken at Le Macchiole. Winemaker Luca Rettondini and owner Cinzia Merli continue to evolve the wines, aiming for ever more focus and precision. The wines have detail and depth in 2016, like never before.
These great releases from 2016 are striking for their elegance – in spite of their intensity and weight. Incredibly complex yet remarkably pure – the wines retain a tantalising freshness. This is very clever stuff from the team here. Once again these are world class wines that will repay further patience and will cellar happily for 15 to 20 years. Yet incredibly they have such charm you can imagine beginning to drink them in just 4 or 5 years’ time.
2018 PALEO Bianco Le Macchiole
Le Macchiole's 2018 Paleo Bianco is bright, finely cut and focused, with lovely energy and bright acids that confer tension. White flowers, mint, lemon peel and light tropical notes abound in thisLe Macchiole's 2018 Paleo Bianco is bright, finely cut and focused, with lovely energy and bright acids that confer tension. White flowers, mint, lemon peel and light tropical notes abound in this crisp, steely white from Le Macchiole. The Chardonnay is aged in tonneaux, while the Sauvignon sees smaller barrels, with some acacia complementing the oak. Drink it over the next few years. Drinking range: 2019 - 2024 Rating: 90 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com(Mar 2020)
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2016 PALEO Rosso Le Macchiole
Stylish ripe red fruit and nutty oak nose with a hint of stones underneath. Succulent, supple red fruit underpinned by grainy tannins. A truly stylish wine.Stylish ripe red fruit and nutty oak nose with a hint of stones underneath. Succulent, supple red fruit underpinned by grainy tannins. A truly stylish wine. Drinking range: 2020 - 2028 Rating: 17.5 Walter Speller, www.jancisrobinson.com(Apr 2020)
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In Bond
2016 SCRIO Le Macchiole
The 2016 Scrio is a fruitier Syrah than the 2015, which was more about the pepper and the savory spice. The 2015 was broader, while this wine is more linear and classic. It boasts more depth andThe 2016 Scrio is a fruitier Syrah than the 2015, which was more about the pepper and the savory spice. The 2015 was broader, while this wine is more linear and classic. It boasts more depth and brings a lot of earthy tones, and it's generally a much more vertical wine than the 2015. This is a very precise, beautiful and detailed expression of Syrah that shows a very generous disposition overall. In fact, this wine harnesses the exuberant abundance of the grape and channels it with extreme elegance. Some 3,900 bottles were made. Drinking range: 2022 - 2040 Rating: 96+ Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com)(May 2019)
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2016 MESSORIO Le Macchiole
This expression of Merlot is explosive and profound. The 2016 Messorio presents an absolute textbook rendition of Merlot that can be read and appreciated in terms of the layering and overlappingThis expression of Merlot is explosive and profound. The 2016 Messorio presents an absolute textbook rendition of Merlot that can be read and appreciated in terms of the layering and overlapping textures of the wine as it rolls over the palate. There is a point of sweetness on the palate, and the wine also shows a bright point of acidity that makes for a great balancing act. I tasted this wine twice, and at my first tasting, I tried it next to the 2015 vintage, thus putting me in a better position to directly compare the two. Whereas the 2015 edition came off as more velvety and soft, the 2016 vintage displays exceptionally crafted precision. This is an incredible wine. Fermentation occurs in cement vats, and the wine goes into barrique for 19 months. Some 11,000 bottles were made. Drinking range: 2022 - 2045 Rating: 99 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com)(May 2019)
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In Bond
In Bond