Le Macchiole : Scrio 2018

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for Scrio 2018 from Le Macchiole

Tasting

Appearance
A deep ruby-red color with garnet highlights, with subtle brick nuances beginning to appear at the rim.

Nose
Beautiful aromatic complexity with notes of black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant) accompanied by spicy touches reminiscent of Christmas spices. Savory leather aromas gradually unfold, while hints of licorice, black pepper, and fresh violet enrich the bouquet. Delicate notes of sweet green tobacco can also be detected.

Palate
A velvety texture seduces the palate. Flavors of raspberry, blueberry, and sour cherry shine through, supported by floral notes of violet and lilac. The tannins are fine and elegant, while a crisp acidity brings freshness and vibrancy. The finish lingers at length with aromas of blackcurrant and black olive, revealing a profile that is both delicate and refined.

Food and wine pairings
This Italian red wine pairs perfectly with red meats such as beef and furred game like venison. It also matches very well with herb-seasoned grilled vegetables, roasted mushrooms, or Italian cured meats. Aged hard cheeses also make a harmonious pairing.

Serving and cellaring
Scrio 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 17 and 18°C. Decanting for thirty minutes to one hour is recommended to allow the wine to fully open up and express its complete aromatic range. This wine can be enjoyed now but offers cellaring potential through around 2037.

A pure, elegant Bolgheri wine from Le Macchiole

The estate
Founded in 1983 by Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli, Le Macchiole now spans 27 hectares of vineyards in Bolgheri, Tuscany. After Eugenio’s passing in 2002, Cinzia Merli took the reins of the estate and elevated it to the rank of one of the region’s most respected producers. A pioneer of single-varietal expression in Tuscany, the estate has farmed its vines organically since 2002 and biodynamically since 2010. Cinzia Merli now chairs the Consortium for the Protection of the DOC Bolgheri, confirming the estate’s status for excellence.

The vineyard
Scrio 2018 comes from two parcels located in Bolgheri on the Etruscan coast of Tuscany: the Puntone vineyard planted in 1994 and the Vignone vineyard established in 1999. These terroirs benefit from proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 5 kilometers from the coastline, which provides a moderating maritime influence. The soils have a clay-sand composition enriched with marine fossils and gravel, with variations depending on the parcel. The syrah vines are planted at high density, between 5,000 and 10,000 vines per hectare, and are cultivated according to organic and biodynamic principles.

The vintage
The 2018 vintage in Bolgheri was marked by a winter and spring with temperatures in line with seasonal averages, but with abundant rainfall in spring. This humidity, combined with rising temperatures in early May, encouraged vigorous budbreak and rapid vine growth. Pressure from fungal diseases, notably downy mildew, required intensive vineyard management with frequent leaf thinning and meticulous soil work throughout the summer. A green harvest was carried out in mid-July to improve grape quality. The syrah harvest took place in early September under favorable conditions.

Winemaking and aging
The Scrio 2018 grapes were hand-harvested, then carefully sorted twice to keep only the finest fruit. Fermentation and maceration took place over 25 days in stainless-steel and concrete vats. Faced with grapes showing more moderate sugar and tannin levels than in some previous vintages, the team chose to reduce the proportion of new oak. Aging was carried out for 16 months in tonneaux and new truncated-cone barrels, complemented by a small percentage in ceramic. Bottling took place on July 23, 2020.

Grape variety
100% syrah