{"title":"Le Macchiole","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"le-macchiole-bolgheri-rosso-2021","title":"Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLe Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 750ml, 14% ABV Tuscan red blend from Bolgheri DOC featuring Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. It earned 95 points from Wine Spectator's Bruce Sanderson and was featured among Food \u0026amp; Wine senior critic Ray Isle's 15 Best Wines of 2024—recognition that places it among the finest values in Italian wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Bolgheri DOC, Tuscany, Italy  |  Vintage: 2021  |  Winery: Le Macchiole (Cinzia Merli)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLe Macchiole was established in Bolgheri by Eugenio Campolmi, whose vision centered on coaxing the purest expression from each grape variety rather than following the Bordeaux-blend conventions common among neighboring estates. Today the winery is led by Cinzia Merli, who continues that philosophy. The 2021 Bolgheri Rosso is a blend of 50% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah, fermented for 15 days in stainless steel tanks before aging 10 months—70% in second and third passage barriques and 30% in concrete. That deliberate avoidance of new oak preserves fruit purity and site character while still building structural complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark berries, muddled blackberry, and cocoa powder emerge first, followed by crushed walnuts, anise, and mace. Underneath, scents of thyme, lavender, cypress, and a mineral hint of iron ore add depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The palate opens with opulent dark plum and blackberry, layered with spicy herbs and dusty earth. At mid-palate the wine shows medium to full body, effusive yet controlled, with lively acidity keeping the ripe fruit in check. Fine, polished tannins give the structure a silky texture rather than a drying grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is lingering and detailed, with echoes of black tea, toasted walnut, and a subtle iron-tinged minerality. Tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean, savoury impression that invites another sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Bolgheri Rosso\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe at 60–64°F (16–18°C). At this quality level, a 30-minute decant rewards with added aromatic complexity, though it drinks beautifully by the glass as well. The blend's structure and fruit intensity also make it an exceptional cocktail-adjacent wine: try it alongside a Kalimotxo riff using premium cola and a citrus twist for a playful summer drink; use it as the base for a classic Sangria enriched with stone fruits and cinnamon; or pour it into a New York Sour in place of the traditional red-wine float, where its dark berry character adds visual drama and flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing a serious wine drinker to Super Tuscan-style blends without the triple-digit price tag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnchoring a Tuscan-themed dinner party alongside bistecca or wild boar ragù\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting an Italian wine enthusiast something with genuine critical acclaim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a cellar of age-worthy Bolgheri reds from benchmark producers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Bolgheri Rosso taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers opulent dark plum and blackberry fruit balanced by lively acidity, with layers of thyme, cocoa, crushed walnut, and a polished tannic structure that feels silky rather than austere.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Bolgheri Rosso compare to Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are Bolgheri DOC red blends, but the Le Macchiole 2021 scored 95 points from Wine Spectator—higher than Le Serre Nuove in the same evaluation—while typically retailing at a lower price point. Le Macchiole's use of concrete alongside seasoned barriques tends to produce a more fruit-forward, less oak-driven profile than Le Serre Nuove's style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Bolgheri Rosso good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely—the 95-point Wine Spectator score reflects a wine built for contemplative drinking, with enough complexity to reward slow, attentive sipping on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Bolgheri Rosso made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced at Le Macchiole's estate in Bolgheri, a coastal sub-region within Tuscany's Maremma area in western Italy. Bolgheri DOC gained fame in the 1970s through pioneering estates and is now one of Italy's most celebrated appellations for Bordeaux-variety red blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Bolgheri Rosso?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's herbal undertones; aged Pecorino Toscano mirrors its earthy depth; wild mushroom risotto complements the cocoa and walnut notes; slow-braised short ribs match its full body; and dark-chocolate desserts echo the finish's bittersweet character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Bolgheri Rosso come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle; availability in other formats such as magnums may vary by vintage and market.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Bolgheri Rosso worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso positions as the estate's entry-level red, yet it outscored several wines at two to three times its price tier in major publications, making it one of the strongest value propositions in the Bolgheri DOC.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Bolgheri Rosso?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 95-point score from Wine Spectator and inclusion in Food \u0026amp; Wine's 15 Best Wines of 2024 set the Le Macchiole 2021 apart from a crowded field of Tuscan reds. The unconventional aging regimen—second and third passage barriques blended with concrete—delivers complexity without the heavy-handed oak signature that marks many peers. As Le Macchiole's introductory bottling, it offers a transparent window into one of Bolgheri's most respected estates at a fraction of the cost of the winery's single-varietal flagships like Messorio or Paleo. For drinkers seeking a serious, critically lauded Bolgheri red that over-delivers relative to its position in the lineup, this 2021 vintage makes a compelling case.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Le Macchiole","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44836852072617,"sku":"20928","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/LeMacchioleBolgheriRosso2021.webp?v=1755384492"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/le-macchiole.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}