Le Macchiole : Scrio 2022

Tasting characteristics and tips for Scrio 2022 from Le Macchiole

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep, vibrant ruby hue, enhanced by its signature crystalline highlights.

Nose

Complex and expressive, the nose unveils a bouquet of dark berries with notes of blueberry and blackcurrant, alongside aromas of violet and black pepper. Tertiary nuances of leather, minerality and tobacco complete this aromatic palette, while hints of violet blossom and white pepper add an extra dimension to this lingering bouquet.

Palate

Full-bodied and powerful, the palate is driven by lively, crunchy acidity that brings freshness. Dense, finely crafted tannins elegantly structure the whole, delivering body and poise with no rusticity. Despite its 13.5% alcohol, the wine retains remarkable balance. The finish is long and harmonious, with a fine mineral expression on the retronasal aftertaste.

Food and wine pairings

This Scrio 2022 will pair perfectly with grilled red meats, game in sauce, or spicy Mediterranean dishes that will match its powerful structure and peppery notes.

Serving and cellaring

To fully enjoy Scrio 2022, it is recommended to decant it one hour before serving and serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C.

A pure, Mediterranean Syrah from Bolgheri in Tuscany

The estate

Founded in 1983 by Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli in Bolgheri, Tuscany, Le Macchiole spans 35 hectares divided into 12 parcels. Under the direction of Cinzia Merli since 2002, the estate has established itself as a pioneer of single-varietal expression in Tuscany with its three iconic cuvées: Paleo, Messorio and Scrio. Certified organic in 2002 and then converted to biodynamics in 2010, Le Macchiole embodies a bold, nonconformist winemaking spirit, producing wines unanimously acclaimed by international critics.

The vineyard

Scrio comes from the Vignone vineyard, planted in 1999, and Casavecchia, established in 2016, located in the prestigious Bolgheri area in Tuscany. The Syrah vines are trained using Guyot and bush-vine systems, with a controlled yield of 900 grams per vine. Harvest takes place between the last week of August and the first week of September, allowing the grapes to be picked at optimal ripeness.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage began with a dry period followed by late budbreak and rapid flowering, leading to uneven berry ripening. Rainfall in mid-August proved a saving grace, helping to preserve the vintage’s quality. This weather pattern ultimately resulted in good yields and excellent ripening for red varieties, delivering grapes with fine concentration.

Winemaking and aging

After hand harvesting, Scrio 2022 undergoes fermentation and a 20-day maceration in concrete vats and sandstone amphorae. Aging then takes place for 14 months in a combination of tonneaux, conical vats, ceramic vessels and sandstone amphorae, bringing complexity and structure to the wine. Bottling was carried out on August 14, 2024.

Grape variety

100% Syrah, a grape variety native to the Rhône Valley that finds a unique Mediterranean expression in Bolgheri. The name Scrio means “pure, sincere, whole” in Tuscan, perfectly reflecting the philosophy behind this single-varietal wine produced in limited quantities.