Macchiole
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Vinous (97)
Fine, silky tannins provide the backdrop for the 2010 Paleo Rosso, a wine that captivates for its exquisite, graceful personality. Sweet, perfumed aromatics jump from the glass, followed by dark notes of red and black stone fruit, melted road tar, spices and espresso, all woven together in a fabric of pure class. The 2010 boasts stunning depth and volume, but is never heavy. All the elements are simply in the right place, but readers will need to give the tannins a few years to soften a bit further.$824.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
Paleo is a pure expression of Cabernet Franc first made in 2001. The 2013 Paleo shows a soft and feminine side with rose petal, lavender, wet earth, rosemary and dark fruit. These are beautiful but unexpected qualities. The wine is ever so reflective of the grape variety, but it also does a great job of incorporating Tuscan ideals, with sunshine, grace and generosity among them. As you dig deeper, Paleo reveals more surprising layers. The finish is soft and slightly sweet. Paleo reveals something new each time you go back to the glass to take a new sip. This wine promises a long aging future.$799.00 -
James Suckling (97)
There are so much essence-like fruits on the nose of this Bolgheri Rosso, from blackberry perfume and dark-cherry compote to fresher elements of rosemary, lavender, hot stones and citrus. Full body with generous fruit, but the firm and beautifully woven tannin backbone keeps the palate fine and elegant. Very long on the finish. Drink in 2024.$795.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Pouring a jewel-like deep ruby hue, the 2016 Paleo is rich with kirsch, mineral earth, graphite, and game. It is full-bodied and has a velveteen texture, with ripe fruit through the mid-palate and notes of incense, cassis, liqueur, iron-rich earth, and a touch of vanillin oak spice. Long and persistent, with and elegant, lasting perfume, this wonderful expression is ripe with structure and fine tannins. Drink 2024-2044.$831.00 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
The Three Graces of Le Macchiole are Messorio, Scrio and Paleo (Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, respectively). Of these three top-tier releases, my favorite is the 2017 Paleo. This is an upright and direct expression of the grape that carefully sheds some dusty or mineral aromas before opening the way for determined black fruit, charred meat, spice and cured tobacco or cigar. There is quite a bit of oak, but it works beautifully against the natural intensity and rich concentration of the hot vintage. More unexpected are those pretty tones of lilac, blue flower and aniseed that add to the detailed rendering and complexity of the bouquet. This wine won my heart.$646.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018Jeb Dunnuck (97)
From a fresh vintage, a gorgeous perfume floats from the glass of the 2018 Paleo, with a floral emphasis as well as pure fruit of cherry and raspberry, lavender, and fresh herbes de Provence. Medium to full-bodied, with freshness and a weightless feel, I love this wine, one of my favorites of this tasting. Pure, refreshing, and energetic, this will be dangerously easy drinking now and over the next 20+ years.$557.00 -
The Wine Independent (98)
The 2019 Le Macchiole Paleo included for the first time grapes from the Ulivino vineyard. This 2.7 ha vineyard, on the northern border of Bolgheri was planted in 2015. At 70 meters above sea level it is really a little hill, surrounded by forest and facing the sea. The Cabernet Franc is planted on an east/west exposure and Le Macchiole feel these grapes will add more power and freshness to the wine. It starts off with youthful, creamy, exotic spice and incense-like notes of oak, but underneath there is a lovely, leafy, raspberry note that is very distinctively Cabernet Franc. There is a beautiful, precise quality to the fruit, with dark berries, licorice, quinine notes and a very long finish. Like the 2016, this 2019 feels quite classical in style but it feels even more refined with firm but fine tannins.$601.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
A riot of pepper lights up the nose, from cracked black to green peppercorn to hot chili. Flint and leather undertones empower the heat, while aromas of raspberry jam and vanilla provide balance. The palate stays spicy, with snappy, confident acidity, but a sweetness lingers, and a finish of chili and chocolate ties everything together. Transcendent. Drink 2030–2040 or beyond.$499.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97+)
This is an extraordinary vintage of the 2021 Paleo that I was able to taste several times. Profound and complex, it’s balanced, layered, and pure. The nose cascades with aromas of cassis, graphite, fresh mint, crushed Mediterranean herbs, polished leather, and tobacco. The palate has a good deal of depth, but it’s focused and detailed. It has a noble feel, with a mouthwatering structure and a long-lasting and exceptional finish. This is one of the best vintages I have tasted of Paleo Rosso, and it has the structure to cruise for decades.$499.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2003 Scrio (100% Syrah) is another terrific effort from Le Macchiole. Packed with clove, cinnamon, sweet dark fruit, toasted oak and mint notes, it is opulent and concentrated yet light on its feet, boasting extraordinary length and an eternal finish defined by a lingering note of sweetness. It, too, has improved considerably over the last few months and there is plenty of fruit to balance the tannins of the vintage. Simply put, it is a knock-out effort from this very challenging harvest. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2015.$1,040.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2012 Scrio is a unique and dare I say atypical expression of Syrah. The bouquet presents big intensity with cola, balsam herb and licorice. At the back are tones of tar, Teriyaki sauce and barbecue smoke. I don't think I have ever tasted a Syrah quite like this. It shows a level of balsam intensity that I have never previously encountered. The bouquet glows with Tuscan sunshine.$238.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2012 Scrio is a unique and dare I say atypical expression of Syrah. The bouquet presents big intensity with cola, balsam herb and licorice. At the back are tones of tar, Teriyaki sauce and barbecue smoke. I don't think I have ever tasted a Syrah quite like this. It shows a level of balsam intensity that I have never previously encountered. The bouquet glows with Tuscan sunshine.$786.00 -
(6x75cl) 2013James Suckling (98)
Wow. This is the best syrah in Tuscany this year with incredible depth and beauty. The texture is so plush yet polished and caressing. Full body. The finish of chocolate, hazelnuts, smoked meat and fruit lasts for minutes. Drink or hold. Pure syrah.$709.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2016 Scrio is a dense, sumptuous and richly textured wine. As it always is, Scrio is really a wine of Le Macchiole more than a varietally expression of Syrah. In the glass, the 2016 is creamy and expressive, with striking fruit density and impeccable balance. Bright floral notes perk up the red-toned fruits nicely. The purity of the flavors is just remarkable today. The 2016 saw 20 days on the skins, Malolactic fermentation was in steel, while aging took place in a mix of 500-600L barrels and 12HL casks.$1,370.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
Entirely produced from Syrah, the 2017 Scrio is sunny with sweet black plum compote, black olive, leather, and candied violets. Polished with fine tannins and elegant yet full-bodied, with a long-lasting perfume, this is an outstanding wine to drink over the next 15-20 years.$878.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The 2018 Scrio is a pure expression of Syrah and one of the wines that broke the mold on this grape grown in coastal Tuscany (I would put the Syrahs from Tua Rita and Duemani in the same category). This is such a delicious wine and you want to bite into it, sip after sip, as if it were food. There is sweetness here, ample spice, tons of dark fruit and a long, luscious finish. I came back to the open bottle a day later and discovered Christmas spice and savory leather. This Tuscan Syrah shies away from the more prominent white pepper or smoked bacon aromas that you sometimes get from this grape, especially in New World expressions. I'm all about Le Macchiole's Syrah.$878.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The Le Macchiole 2019 Scrio benefits from reductive winemaking that is intended to lock in the natural fragrances and elegance of this versatile grape. It is fermented in stainless steel and cement and is partially aged in more oxygen-prone tonneaux. The rest goes into truncated cement vat and ceramic vessels. With Le Macchiole, you don't get a flabby over-extracted Syrah; instead, you get a polished and extremely elegant wine with a tight (trim but not lean) mouthfeel and beautifully integrated tannins. Only 3,800 bottles were made, and in case you were wondering, the suggested tasting order of Cinzia Merli's three IGT wines is Paleo, Scrio and then Messorio.$707.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
A beautiful Syrah from Tuscany, the 2020 Scrio shows impeccable elegance with a very long and linear style that transcends the nose and the palate. I love the precision of this wine. The celebrated Rhône grape has found a very happy home along this part of the Tuscan coast. The team at Le Macchiole is especially talented at bringing out varietal nuances of dark fruit, baking chocolate, spice, charred meat, white pepper and pencil shaving.$755.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
Pouring a youthful dark purple color, the 2021 Scrio is inviting and floral with a fruity profile of candied berries, sweet cedar, pie spice, and pressed violets. The palate brings a good deal of snappy energy along with refined tannins, bright acidity, and a clean, chalky texture as well as gentle savory accents of olive throughout the finish. I greatly enjoyed this and anticipate it improving over the next 10-12 years.$822.00
