Le Macchiole Scrio 2020

Le Macchiole is a family estate in Bolgheri, on the warm Tuscan coast, founded by Eugenio Campolmi in the 1980s and now run by his wife and children. Scrio is a varietal Syrah, unusual in a region built on Bordeaux grapes, drawn from two parcels worked without synthetic chemicals using biodynamic treatments. The site sits close to the Tyrrhenian Sea, where maritime breezes temper the Mediterranean heat and stony, well-drained soils keep yields low and naturally concentrate the fruit. Severe crop reduction in the vineyard is central to the wine's intensity. Fermentation is followed by malolactic conversion and extended ageing in oak barrels, which softens the tannins and adds a smoky, spiced frame to the dark Syrah fruit while letting oxygen slowly polish the structure. The colour is deep, near opaque purple. The nose shows black pepper, dark plum and black cherry, with smoke, liquorice and cured leather. The palate is full bodied and dense, with ripe tannins, balancing acidity and a long, savoury, peppery finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour. It pairs with red meat, lamb and roasted mushrooms.