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.