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Le Macchiole Messorio :
[leh mahk-kyo-leh mehs-soh-(l)ryo]
In 1975, the late Eugenio Campolmi founded Le Macchiole
with the purchase of a vineyard in Bolgheri. Although
he originally intended his efforts to be purely recreational,
he soon grew desirous of engaging in serious wine
production. Lacking any background in viticulture,
he brought in oenologist Vittorio Fiore on a consulting
basis in 1987 and also sought the expertise and advice
of Pier Mario di Grattamacco and Michele Satta. As
Fiore did not satisfy Campolmi’s efforts to
develop an intimate understanding of the winemaking
process, Campolmi turned to another consultant, Luca
d’Attoma, in 1991, effectively launching the
estate’s transition into the upper echelon of
Italian wine. That same year, d’Attoma also
began to consult for new Super-Tuscan powerhouse,
Tua Rita. In 1994, he produced the debut release of
what would become each house’s flagship, Messorio
(Le Macchiole) and Redigaffi (Tua Rita), both of which
are pure-varietal Merlots. As of this writing (August
2008), d’Attoma is still engaged with Le Macchiole—a
collaboration celebrated to greatest effect in Messorio,
one of Italy’s most profound and prestigious
Merlots.
When Campolmi passed away in 2002, his wife, Cinzia
Merli, assumed direction of the estate, retaining
d’Attoma. Part of an unofficial, but nevertheless
widely recognized clique that includes Masseto, Redigaffi,
and Galatrona, Messorio provides a compelling testament
to Toscana’s affinity for the varietal; these
bottlings, in fact, often merit comparison to the
wines of Bordeaux’s Pomerol region, including
the renowned Château Pétrus and Vieux-Château-Certan.
With Messorio’s limited production averaging
750 cases per year (quantities may be significantly
lower, given the nature of the vintage) and an impeccable
vintage record, it ranks among the most highly sought
of Italy’s cult bottlings.
Messorio’s vinfication regimen entails an extensive
maceration of approximately 20 days, followed by barrique
aging for a minimum of 16 months. A paradigm of Tuscan
decadence, Messorio is dense and voluptuous, yet this
dramatic persona also holds back quite a bit, beguiling
in its paradoxical subtlety and perfect poise, often
realizing a two-decade maturation period. Highly regarded
vintages include 2004, 1999, and 1997.
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Wine: Super-Tuscan
Producer: Le Macchiole
Varietal(s): Merlot
Region: Toscana
Province: Livorno
Commune: Bolgheri
Vineyard: Casa Vecchia, Puntone
Altitude: 280 meters
Classification: Toscana IGT
First Year: 1994
Bottle Production: 8,000
More Landmark Wines:
dell'Ornellaia Masseto
dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia
Tua Rita Redigaffi
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