MESSORIO

2014 Le Macchiole

EN PRIMEUR

Incredibly fragrant juniper, pine and moss, touch of spice, cloves and oriental herbs. Bright and fresh with lovely fruit intensity, cherry, cassis, tobacco and herbs. Saturated but with zip, good tannins, medium weight and a lovely elegance. Drinking range: 2018 - 2028L&S (Oct 2018)

* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

The 2014 Messorio is another very pretty and expressive wine from Le Macchiole. The 2014 has lovely mid-palate density, especially for the year, along with a decidedly exotic passion fruit/apricot quality that will only grow as the wine continues to develop in bottle. I expect the 2014 starts to drink well relatively early, but it also has enough freshness and balance to hold for a number of years. Hints of truffle, raspberry jam, blood orange and spice infuse the layered, creamy finish. Drinking range: 2019 - 2029 Rating: 93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2018)

The 2014 Messorio (100% Merlot) was slightly shy and slow to open when I tasted it as a barrel sample some eight months previous to this tasting. I can't say that the wine has opened much since then. It continues to show a tight and slightly austere bouquet with dark fruit, spice and leather. You don't get that quintessentially soft side of the grape. Instead, this Merlot feels a bit thorny and prickly in places due to the much cooler growing conditions. The mouthfeel is less opulent and layered compared to the warmer vintages we have seen in the past. This wine definitely will not be ready to drink for a few more years. Drinking range: 2019 - 2035 Rating: 92 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Apr 2017)

A little lean for Messorio but plenty of tobacco, cedar and berry character. Medium body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs two or three years to come together. Better in 2019. Drinking range: 2019 - 2035 Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Aug 2017)

Initially put onto the wine map by Eugenio Campolmi in 1983, the Le Macchiole estate has been run by his wife Cinzia since 2002. In the heart of Bolgheri, with 22 hectares of vineyard over much of the best soils of the region these are, along with the Sassicaia and Ornellaia's vineyards, also among the oldest and most established vines in Bolgheri. Their careful selection of grape varieties and cultivation techniques according to climate and soil has led them to concentrate on Merlot, Syrah and most importantly Cabernet Franc, a variety which can express itself so well in the hands of Le Macchiole.

All of their wines are marked by a unique and unmistakable character. Full bodied wines, and yet with clean and elegant flavours, leading to great freshness and finesse, they are incredibly sought after world-wide. The estate has been organic since 2002, and they are experimenting with biodynamics.

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LE MACCHIOLE PRE-SHIPMENT FAQ

WHY ORDER PRE-SHIPMENT? Ordering your wine before it is shipped from the producer means you secure the best possible price before the wines become available in the UK market. It is also the best way to avoid disappointment as some wines will sell out before arrival in the UK.

PRICES: This is a pre-shipment offer - all prices are quoted IN BOND ex-VAT. The prices are per pack as detailed - so if a wine is listed in twelve-bottle cases, the price given is per twelve, or if listed in six-bottle cases, the price given is per six, and so on. If it looks too cheap (and even if it does not), please check the case size.

DELIVERY COSTS: The In Bond prices are for in bond delivery. Under bond delivery to an L&S Elephant storage account at Octavian Corsham is free, but under bond delivery to other bonds or accounts will incur additional charges. If the wines are required duty-paid inc. VAT, a duty and VAT invoice will be raised once all the wines on your order are available.

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DELIVERY TIMING: The wines are not yet physically available, but will be shipped over the course of the next few months. In most cases they will be delivered to you as they arrive with us, so if any are required by a certain date please advise us at the time of ordering.