2021 Messorio

A vivid merlot on the nose with plum, berry, clove and cedar aromas, as well as undertones of bark and five spices. Full-bodied yet balanced and energetic, with driving acidity and fine tannins that frame the wine nicely and add energy and verve. Sweet tobacco to the fruit. Best after 2029.

This wine represents Le Macchiole's homage to Merlot. The 2021 Messorio is a classic wine with firm lines and an almost glossy texture owing to the very warm but balanced conditions of this growing season. The fruit is bold and expressive with deep layers of Amarena cherry that transition to toasted spice, brown sugar and even a hint of olive oil focaccia. Similar to the Paleo (Cabernet Franc) and Scrio (Syrah) made by Cinzia Merli, this wine has a floral signature that reminds me of freesia (with the peppery notes) or a green calla lily. The tannins are very polished and fine-tuned. Of the five taste elements we perceive—sweetness, saltiness, sourness, bitterness and umami—the Messorio is all umami. I prefer this Messorio to the 2021 Masseto that I tasted in the same flight.

The 2021 Messorio (Merlot) is a wine of pure and total sensuality. Dark, layered and enveloping, the 2021 boasts notable textural richness from start to finish. Dark red-toned fruit, spice, mocha, new leather and licorice fill out the layers effortlessly. There’s plenty of energy and depth to balance some of the more overt qualities. These days, Messorio is not as opulent as it was during the 1990s when it became an iconic wine in Italy, but the natural suitability of Maremma for producing exotic, sumptuous Merlots simply can’t be denied. The 2021 spent 16 months in French oak barrels, with a small amount of the wine (7%) that was aged in stoneware amphora. It is a superb effort from Le Macchiole.