LE O I H C C A LE M 2016
How it went
(small changes and big results)
It is important for us to let you know how harvest went this year. It’s like recapping a year of hard work, in the vineyards and in the wine cellar, always a bit worried and incredibly relieved when you realize that everything is going to be okay. We’re going to remember this 2015 for a long time: rainfall in spring, hot temperatures in July and then, as if by magic, everything was all right. And now here we are, with some beautiful, healthy, tasty grapes ripened to perfection: it’s that time of the year when all concerns, all fears and tears just drift away.
We’re going to remember this 2015 for a long time, because it has been the first year under Luca Rettondini’s technical management, with the invaluable support, as usual, of my brother Massimo. We’re going to remember this 2015 for a long time, because we feel strongly part of this land and its heritage, as ever and even more than in the past. Because we spent a full year talking about it and supporting it around the world through our “Carducci” project associated with Messorio 2004. A project that will reach its height in a few months’ time.
We’re going to remember this 2015 for a long time, because it has been a very intense year, with many good results, even in terms of sales, for which I thank you sincerely. It would be much more difficult without your help. On behalf of all Le Macchiole staff, Cinzia Merli
Harvest Report 2015
(If only we could have one like that every year!)
Harvest 2015 will be remembered as one of the best ever. Mild winter temperatures and average rainfall. An excellent spring: a bit cold in the beginning, but then temperatures went back to normal, generous night-day temperature swings and some good rainfall. Summer enjoyed an early start in June: high temperatures around 32° and no rainfall. Still large temperatures swings, with an average of 20° during the night and the soil exploiting the water resources accumulated in 2014 and 2015. In July: typical summer temperatures, but with a drop in
average night temperatures, constant breeze and no rainfall. Vineyard work focused on canopy management, avoiding topping and by working the soil on the surface, in order to get ready for the veraison process. August weather was a bit atypical: cooler temperatures and more balanced weather conditions than usual with above-average rainfall (80 mm), allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly in perfectly healthy condition. September was the ideal ending to the season: temperatures, night-day temperature swings, sunlight, rainfall, everything was perfectly balanced and led to optimal grape maturity.
White grapes were harvested on August 23 and the red grapes for the Bolgheri wine on September 1. Messorio’s Merlot grapes were picked on two subsequent dates: the second and third week of September. Intensely colored grapes, good acidity and complete maturity. The grapes were gently destemmed in the wine cellar, after careful selection, and then vinified 1/3 in concrete tanks and the rest in steel vats. Regular fermentation process, long maceration, frequent pumping over, manual punching down and soaking in the last few days gave wines featuring sweet and fresh aromas, noble
and mouth-filling tannins and excellent complexity on the palate. The spontaneous malolactic fermentation was completed and the wine was moved to wood barrels in late October. Cabernet Franc grapes for Paleo Rosso were harvested between September 18 and 25. A slower ripening process as compared to Merlot, but equally perfect grapes. Same selection process, while vinification was carried out ¾ in concrete and the rest in steel vats. Again, after completion of malolactic fermentation, the wine was moved to wood barrels in late October.
2012: an easy-drinking vintage (and don’t underestimate the 2014)
The 2012 vintage needed to be handled with care. It can be described as fresh, with ripening achieved at the very last and, thus, requiring all stages, from winemaking to bottling, to be carried out with great care. Messorio 2012 We are sure that this vintage will suit all tastes. Fresher and more enjoyable, with a lightness uncommon for our 100% Merlot wine. It is more intensely scented and readier to drink than usual. A wine enjoyable even when young, but which can be left to rest in the wine cellar for the next 25 years.
Paleo 2012 2012 has been a great year for the Cabernet Franc. Ripening was achieved at the right time, without losing freshness. Easier to drink than the previous vintage, with a slight grassy touch and less structured tannins. A wine that you will be able to drink in the next five years, but also ready to age for at least another 15. Scrio 2012 This vintage is very lively on the nose, fresh on the palate and with marked acidity for our 100% Syrah wine. To be enjoyed as soon as it is released, but having the
potential to age for about ten years, effortlessly. And, last but not least, the two representatives of vintage 2014 which, as everybody knows, has been one of our greatest challenges so far. The Bolgheri Rosso 2014, in spite of everything, shines with its own light. A blend of a good deal of the best Merlot grapes and all the winery’s Syrah grapes, this wine features a charming appearance. It is a rich yet very drinkable wine. The intense fruity aromas, the great savoriness and acid backbone make it exactly the
kind of Bolgheri Rosso we have in mind at Le Macchiole: a fully enjoyable wine, gratifying and refreshing at the same time. The Paleo Bianco 2014 is the result of a small vintage and with characteristics slightly different from usual. Fresher, more savory. less alcohol and with no contribution of new wood. A simpler vintage, but which we believe will meet all Paleo fans’ approval.
Allocations & Price List Allocations Quantities available for vintage 2012 are within the norm, so there will be no considerable changes as compared to last year. Therefore, you will find that allocations are very similar to previous ones. Quantities of Bolgheri Rosso 2014 are stable too. Allocations are, as usual, in a separate file, as well as the price list. This year, we are able to provide them a little earlier than expected and we would appreciate receiving them back confirmed and in time. Wines will be available, all together, from February 2016.
Price List There has been a slight increase on all prices, but we’re talking mere cents. At the bottom of the list, you’ll find again an old vintage offered at the same price as current vintage. This year’s “Cinzia’s Pick” is Scrio 2000. We are very pleased with the results of this initiative. Last year, Messorio 2000 was sold out very quickly. We have 513 bottles of Scrio 2000 available, so it’s first come, first served!
Scores PALEO ROSSO JAMES SUCKLING WINE ADVOCATE VINOUS - GALLONI FALSTAFF GAMBERO ROSSO
97 94 94 96 3 GLASSES
MESSORIO JAMES SUCKLING VINOUS - GALLONI FALSTAFF
96 96 98
SCRIO JAMES SUCKLING WINE ADVOCATE VINOUS - GALLONI FALSTAFF
96 93 92 96
Abbiamo deciso di dedicare a Bolgheri un’etichetta da collezione. Realizzata dall’artista Stefano Tonelli, una vera opera d’arte e frutto di un progetto unico nel suo genere.
The Artist inside us: #messorio04 Every day, in our every gesture, we strive to make our wines as representative as possible of the land they come from: Bolgheri, a world-famous winegrowing area, is a place rich in natural and artistic beauties and definitely worth visiting. Anyone, at least once in a lifetime, should take a trip to this lovely corner of Tuscany, just a few kilometers away from the seaside, masterly described by Giosuè Carducci in his poems and stories. We have decided to dedicate a collector’s label to Bolgheri, designed by artist Stefano Tonelli, a true work of art and the fruit of a project unique of its kind. It is a single painting divided into 48 parts, each of which has become a label for as many Mathusalem bottles (six-liters) of Messorio 2004, our 100% Merlot wine. This exclusive art project aims to celebrate and promote Bolgheri across the world and it is no chance that we chose Messorio as ambassador: the wine that best expresses the terroir’s strong personality, structure, elegance and aromas.
The bottles’ back label will show the number corresponding to the section of the painting belonging to the bottle owner. Graphite, charcoal, water, acrylic and enamel are the materials used to create the label, which is also a painting and many paintings at the same time. The colors are those of this corner of Tuscany, a piece of paradise poised between the earth, the sky and the sea. All proceeds will be used to support the Town of Castagneto Carducci and the whole Bolgheri area in an initiative aimed at promoting the region by installing “frames” showcasing Giosuè Carducci’s best-loved sites and offering visitors the chance to explore our land through the eyes of the Italian poet and Nobel Prize winner. We have decided to dedicate a collector’s label to Bolgheri. Designed by artist Stefano Tonelli, a true work of art and the fruit of a project unique of its kind.
Online with a new dress We are so excited to be unveiling our website’s facelift! The www.lemacchiole.it website is totally new: a fresh and updated graphic look with a lot of lovely pictures. Check it out for all major information, history, wines, tech sheets and press reviews about us.
AMICI DEL PALEO Our Friends of Paleo project continues on our website. We are very proud of it and would love to have our partners support it too. Let’s expand our circle of friends across the world! FACEBOOK E TWITTER Once again, we encourage you to become our friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter @LMacchiole. It is the fastest and most effective way to keep up with our latest news.
Wine Shows We would love to meet you on one of these occasions to taste the new vintages together and tell you all about what’s going on. If you’re planning to attend, please let us know and we’ll fix an appointment. 13-15 MARZO PROWEIN - DÜSSELDORF At the Bolgheri Consortium Booth
9-11 APRILE SUMMA - MARGRAID (BZ) The fantastic wine show organized by Alois Lageder in the Alto Adige region. We highly recommend it, very professional, excellent selection of wineries, and held in an amazing location. 12 APRILE VINITALY - VERONA For one day, at the Bolgheri Consortium Stand. By appointment only.