Le Macchiole Messorio 2015

Professional Ratings

• 97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2015 Messorio is a true tribute to Merlot. It's not easy to faithfully render the distinctive characteristics of this grape, within such a tight margin of error, but the winemaking team at Le Macchiole has deftly achieved exactly that. With sourcing from the Puntone vineyard, Le Macchiole wanted to achieve less density yet more aromas of skin. The wine has a homogeneous feel, with huge generosity and fullness, and it delivers big, ripe cherry tones with so much luscious fruit and delineated persistence.
• 97 Wine Spectator
  Seductive, yet packs a serious punch. Blackberry, black currant, cedar, iron, coffee and vanilla flavors unravel as this builds on the palate to a long finish. All the elements are in the right place. Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2043.
• 97 Wine & Spirits

  Cinzia Merli’s Messorio soars atop an impressive set of releases from the 2015 vintage. Merli recalls two very hot weeks in July followed by more moderate temperatures in August. For the first time, she directed her team to harvest about ten percent of the merlot for Messorio a week earlier than the rest to increase the wine’s freshness. She also reduced the toast levels in the new French oak barriques and introduced five percent of larger barrels to give greater expression to the fruit. The result is a brilliant wine with flavors of plummy purple fruit and a thrilling edge of acidity. Velvety tannins frame the flavors like a silk glove, the notes of cool moss, wet bark, menthol and graphite lasting on a long, harmonious journey across the palate.

• 95 James Suckling
  An opulent nose that shows plum cake, blueberry muffins, dark chocolate, mocha, coffee, plum liqueur and hot stones. However, there just the right amount of freshness with thyme, violets and cedar. Full body, very chewy tannins and a long, decadent finish. Very intense, but it still shows form and tension. Drink in 2025.
• 94 Wine Enthusiast
  Cedar, clove, black currant, leather and Mediterranean herb aromas form the nose on this 100% Merlot. Smooth and enveloping, the full-bodied palate doles out mature black cherry, licorice, espresso and grilled herb framed in polished, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2027.
  Cellar Selection