Messorio is een wijn die wordt geproduceerd na een heet en droog groeiseizoen in de hele regio Bolgheri. In dergelijke jaren rijpt de Merlot doorgaans sneller, waardoor de fruittonen een intensere smaak krijgen. Bij wijnhuis Le Macchiole werden de druiven zorgvuldig geselecteerd om de frisheid te behouden, zelfs in wijnen die neigen naar een jamachtige smaak. Deze ingetogen benadering van het wijnmaken komt duidelijk tot uiting in deze wijn. In vergelijking met koelere jaargangen, zoals 2016, mag men verwachten dat de Messorio rijker en krachtiger is. Hij wordt gekenmerkt door aroma’s van rijpe zwarte bessen en een robuuste structuur. Liefhebbers van volle wijnen zullen hier veel plezier aan beleven. En wie bereid is geduldig te wachten tot hij tot rijpheid is gekomen, zal nog meer voldoening vinden.
Robert Parker (97)
The last wine tasted during my visit was the magnificent Le Macchiole 2022 Messorio made with 100% Merlot. "It is important to build this wine step by step," says proprietor Cinzia Merli of the blending process that sees grapes blended from various sites with different soils and exposures. Production is 9,500 bottles. The wine reveals a wide span of fruit flavors that include dark cherry on one side of the spectrum and fragrant pomegranate on the other. In 2022, the fruit came off the vines earlier than normal so that the crunchiness of those berry flavors would remain intact. Messorio covers the palate with soft richness and pretty tannins. Hints of spice and crushed stone appear on the long finish.
Winespectator (95)
Purity is the hallmark of this vibrant, black cherry–, blackberry- and violet-flavored red. Solidly built, with refined tannins that will require time to integrate, yet overall this is balanced and elegant. Graphite and wild herb accents emerge on the long aftertaste. Merlot. Best from 2027 through 2040.
James Suckling (95)
A dark and restrained wine with mint, balsamic, cassis and graphite aromas. The full-bodied palate is smooth and velvety, with crisp acidity, extracted yet ripe tannins and flavors of dark fruit and sweet tobacco. Juicy despite its concentration. Best in four or five years.
Vinous (94)
The 2022 Messorio is the wine at Le Macchiole that shows the estate’s move in recent years towards a style that emphasizes subtlety and nuance more than power. Blood orange, rose petal, cinnamon, kirsch and red cherry fruit open first. Time in the glass releases the wine’s aromatics nicely. The 2022 is an especially perfumed, mid-weight Messorio. I can’t wait to see how it develops with a few years in bottle. The 2022 was raised in new, low-toast barriques, wood uprights and ceramic amphora.
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
The 2022 Messorio pours a youthful magenta color and is smoky and seductive on the nose, with inviting smoky aromatics of camphor, plum, pine, and forest earth. Full-bodied but with a defined structure, it’s noble on the palate, with a snappy freshness of acidity and a sanguine note through the mid-palate and finish. It’s going to benefit from more time in a bottle, with its nervous energy being more forward at this tasting. Drink 2026-2046.
Falstaff (97)
Clear, powerful ruby colour. Opens with pronounced spice notes of cedar wood, cardamom and cigars, then plump berry fruit and some plum. Powerful and mouth-filling, at the same time very well-developed fruit, opens with grippy tannins, slightly drying on the finish.
