Le Macchiole : Messorio 2011

Rich, ripe and dense, sporting black cherry and leather flavors and hints of tar and tobacco leaf. Powerful and well-structured, with a long, tobacco- and mineral-inflected finish. Merlot. Drink now through 2024. 835 cases made.

Amazing aromas of sexy, decadent fruit with blackberry, dark chocolate and cedar. Full-bodied with fine tannins and a long, long finish. Drink or hold. Better in 2015.

The 2011 Messorio takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. Rich and explosive to the core, the 2011 boasts stunning intensity and depth. Today, the 2011 is painfully young and packed with tannin. Even with all of its size, the 2011 retains gorgeous aromatic complexity and tons of nuance. This is a fabulous showing from Le Macchiole.

Made entirely with Merlot, this full-bodied wine opens with aromas of ripe berry, coffee, vanilla, exotic spice and a whiff of grilled herb. The concentrated palate doles out fleshy black cherries, juicy raspberries licorice, chocolate and tobacco, while velvety tannins provide the framework. A note of dried sage closes the finish. It's already approachable but will continue to age well for several years or more. Drink through 2023.