Le Macchiole is a wine producer in Bolgheri in Castagneto Carducci in Livorno province on the Tuscan coast of Italy. It produces wines under the Bolgheri DOC.

Owner: Cinzia Merli.

Background: In 1981 Eugenio Campolmi [a native of Bolgheri] took over Le Macchiole from his father and grand-father. The family had run a bar on the Via Aurelia, the main road to Rome. Whilst they had been content with making good quality local wines for local consumption, Eugenio, with his friend and oenologist Luca D’Attoma, were convinced that by following a combination of strict vineyard management and clonal selection they could make world class wines in this unique ‘terroir’ and micro-climate. The introduction of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot was not new in the region, with both the vineyards of Sassicaia and Ornellaia only a stone’s throw away, but Eugenio’s passion and dedication for winemaking has taken the wines of Le Macchiole a step further than most, making them among the most sought after of all Tuscany. They tried Sangiovese but it becomes too fat here; and Trebbiano was also abandoned.

In 1995 London wine merchants Lea & Sandeman discover the Macchiole wines for the first time.

In 2002 Eugenio Campolmi died (on Sunday 14th July 2002), aged forty, following a long battle against cancer. His legacy is continued by his wife Cinzia (and two children aged nine and 13), and oenologist Luca D’Attoma.

Estate vineyards: The estate is made up of seventeen hectares of vines, seven of which were only planted in 1999, and in addition to the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are made up of Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Syrah (which is replacing CS, and at 10,000 vines), and a small amount of Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Viticulture: ‘Organic practices’.

Winery: Large underground barrel hall, with a window to the bare earth.

White wines

Bolgheri Bianco DOC, Paleo Sauvignon: 2001 5,000 bottles. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier. Barrel fermented.

Red wines

Bolgheri Rosso DOC, Le Macchiole: Macchiole Rosso is the estate’s Sangiovese based wine with 10% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. | 2002 75% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah. 36,000 bottles.

Messorio: IGT Toscana Rosso. | 2001 100% Merlot. 8,000 bottles. Highly rated by Parker.

Paleo Rosso: 1992 Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese. | 2000 Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% CF on the back label. Decent fruit, but a bit lean all the same especially in terms of tannins, which seem a little forced in terms of structure, but attractive enough fruit, just not enough of it, density-wise when tasted on 11th Jan 2005 at Argiano. Bottle bought by Noemí for €50.00. Labelled l.02/01 and 13.5% vol. | 2001 Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC. 100% CF. 20,000 bottles.

Scrio, IGT Toscana Rosso: 2001 100% Syrah. 5,000 bottles.

Contact

Azienda Agricola Le Macchiole

Via Bolgherese 189/a

I-57022 Bolgheri (LI), Italy

Tel+39 0565.766092 | Website: www.lemacchiole.it/en/home

GPS Coordinates: 43.207830, 10.612085