Deep red with magenta highlights, the 2020 Messorio is the most complete of these wines aromatically on opening and seems to disprove the idea that Merlot is struggling in this region as climate change takes its hold. Luxurious and profound, it slowly reveals harmonious layers of polished leather, chocolate-covered cherry, Amarena cherry, rosemary, and crushed flowers. Full-bodied and impeccably well-detailed, it has mouthwatering mineral accents and fresh fruit through a long finish. This would be a great wine to include in a blind tasting with the great wines of Bordeaux. With undercurrents of black olive, dark obsidian-like earth, and a finish that lasts for ages, this profound and complex wine is going to be one to age for decades. Drink 2026-2050. - Audrey Frick

A nose like a private library with old books on the shelves, dried lavender and violets on the desk, and sunbeams and damp air from outside streaming through the drapes, held at bay by a smoky warmth from the hearth. The palate delivers a riot of berries and chocolate and spices, with a salty astringency at the back. Tannins and acid that start quiet, and then rise up and roar. — Danielle Callegari

(95-97 points) The 2020 Le Macchiole Messorio has lots of very ripe dark fruit aromas - blackberries and blueberries - with gentle vanilla cream, sweet oak spice notes and an almost coconut, creamy note which is covering the fruit a little right now but the wine is very young and needs more time to come together. On standing, it reveals smoke, sweet vanilla, some leather and a greener element. On the palate it is full, round, rich and broad. It is charming and accessible but is a bit less intriguing and interesting than the 2019. It’s still very young and unformed so its hard to judge right now.

The 2020 Messorio is fabulous. Once an opulent, full-throttle wine, Messorio has grown into a much more reserved Merlot these days. Tense with tons of energy, the 2020 appears to have a very bright future once it comes together a bit more fully. I very much admire the vibrancy here. The 2020 spent 18 months in 100% French oak, with 5% of the wine aged in amphora.

Intense aromas of sandalwood, lavender, crushed stone, ink pot and blue fruit follow through to a medium body, with lovely tannins and tension that add energy and vibe. Excellent freshness for 2020. Blackcurrants, black olives and violets in the aftertaste. Drink after 2027.

Made with Merlot, the 2020 Messorio is a profound and richly textured wine that has become one of vintner Cinza Merli's flagships. Ripe fruit, dark cherry, oak spice and toast converge with balanced intensity to characterize this generous expression from Tuscany. The issue with Merlot, especially in a hot vintage such as this, is ripeness or, specifically, over-ripeness. Messorio navigates a challenging growing season with flying colors.

The Merlot harvest took place irregularly between the first and third weeks of September (interspersed with a few days of pause). Today, Messorio is aged for 16 months in both new French oak and gres amphora, following fermentation and maceration in concrete. Dark garnet in the glass, the wine packs an aromatic punch for its restrained cassis and leafy character contrasted with meaty darkness then underlying clayey minerality. The dense, viscous and velvety palate is balanced by chewy acidity, slightly grainy, youthful tannins and polished finish.

Pure and elegant, with a core of blackberry, black cherry, violet, iron and oak spice flavors. Shows a solid spine of tannins that provide some backbone, while the velvety texture adds to this wine's overall gracefulness. Boasts excellent balance and length. Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2042. 920 cases made, 75 cases imported.