In the glass
Aroma: black cherry, graphite, violet, cedar
Palate: dark plum, iron, espresso, polished oak
Cult 100 percent Merlot Toscana IGT from Le Macchiole, often compared to its Masseto neighbour.
What it pairs with
-
Rib of beef, dry-aged
Find rib of beef, dry-aged on TableJourney →
Beef umami meets Messorio's Merlot plushness. -
Truffle-shaved pasta
Iron-graphite mineral meets truffle. -
Aged Parmigiano with chestnut honey
Sweet umami amplifies depth.
How to serve Le Macchiole Messorio
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Rib of beef, dry-aged, Truffle-shaved pasta, Aged Parmigiano with chestnut honey. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Le Macchiole introduced Messorio as a pure Merlot Toscana IGT in 1994. Eugenio Campolmi launched it and Cinzia Merli has continued production since.
- 1994 — First Messorio vintage
Facts
- Producer
- Le Macchiole
- Grapes
- Merlot (100%)
- Classification
- Toscana IGT
- Oak
- 18 months in French oak barriques
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 200 to 350 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1994
Scores
- Wine Advocate 97 (2015 vintage, reviewed 2019)
- Vinous 96 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Le Macchiole Messorio
What does Le Macchiole Messorio taste like?
On the nose, black cherry, graphite, violet, cedar. On the palate, dark plum, iron, espresso, polished oak. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Cult 100 percent Merlot Toscana IGT from Le Macchiole, often compared to its Masseto neighbour.
When should I drink Le Macchiole Messorio?
Drink 10 to 25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Le Macchiole Messorio?
Rib of beef, dry-aged is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Truffle-shaved pasta and Aged Parmigiano with chestnut honey. Beef umami meets Messorio's Merlot plushness.
What grapes are in Le Macchiole Messorio?
The blend is Merlot (100%). The wine is classified as Toscana IGT.