At a glance

Producer

Le Macchiole

Region

Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy

Grape variety

Merlot (100%)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

Approximately US$250–400 per 750 mL bottle, depending on provenance, condition, and market

Tasting profile

Expect layered black cherry, blackberry and plum, with notes that may include violet, herbs, spice, cocoa and polished oak. The wine is likely dense and youthful, with a long finish.

Evolution: With bottle age, primary dark fruit should give way to more savory and tertiary notes such as dried herbs, tobacco, leather and earth, while tannins integrate.

At peak: At maturity, expect concentrated Merlot fruit balanced by savory Tuscan character, supple but persistent structure, and greater aromatic complexity.

Structure

Acidity

Moderate to moderately high, providing freshness and supporting the wine's long development.

Tannins

Concentrated, ripe, fine-grained tannins with a firm, persistent framework.

Alcohol

Likely high, approximately 14–15% ABV; verify the individual label for the exact figure.

Aging potential

Excellent. This single-varietal Merlot from a prestigious Tuscan producer has the concentration and structure to develop over decades under sound cellaring.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2053

Optimal window

2026 to 2056

Current status

Young and developing; approachable with aeration but still has substantial aging potential.

Current condition

At around ten years from vintage, a well-stored bottle should show concentrated fruit and emerging complexity. Bottle variation and storage history matter considerably.

Messorio is Le Macchiole's flagship Merlot, and the 2016 Tuscan vintage is widely regarded as strong. Its concentration, tannic structure and freshness support a longer horizon than a typical everyday Merlot. The suggested peak is deliberately broad because bottle provenance, storage, and personal preference can shift the ideal moment.

Food pairing

Pair with grilled or roasted beef, lamb, venison, porcini or other savory mushrooms, and aged hard cheeses. Choose dishes with enough richness and flavor to match the wine's concentration.

Serving

Serving temperature

16–18°C / 61–64°F

Decant

Yes (1–2 hours) — Aeration can open its concentrated fruit and savory aromas and soften the impression of youthful structure. Taste during decanting; for an older or fragile bottle, decant gently and briefly.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Le Macchiole is an estate producer in Bolgheri. Publicly verifiable, vintage-specific details on energy sourcing, water conservation, packaging weight, and certified farming practices are not established in this assessment, so these are not assumed.

A moderate provisional score reflects the estate's direct production context but limited verified evidence for certifications and measurable environmental practices. This is an evidence-limited assessment, not a claim that the winery lacks sustainability initiatives.