Le Macchiole Scrio 2017

Intense aromas of blackcurrants, spices and black licorice with some lavender and rosemary. It’s full-bodied and layered with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Black pepper comes through. It’s tensioned and structured. Nicely proportioned. Try after 2023.

Entirely produced from Syrah, the 2017 Scrio is sunny with sweet black plum compote, black olive, leather, and candied violets. Polished with fine tannins and elegant yet full-bodied, with a long-lasting perfume, this is an outstanding wine to drink over the next 15-20 years.

The Le Macchiole 2017 Scrio is a pure expression of Syrah that shows more similarities to the variety when grown in France than it does California, Australia or even the rest of Tuscany for that matter. Instead of the peppery charred meat or barbecued aromas you often get in New World Syrah, this wine points to blackberry, some black olive, rum cake, crème de cassis or chocolate-covered cherries. Although the wine is varietally pure, it doesn't really scream Syrah in any sort of obvious or banal manner. The tannins are more gripping in this hot vintage, and the wine spreads over the palate with a creamy, almost waxy texture that is enduring and deep.

Scrio, the 100% Syrah wine of Le Macchiole, is completely changed in style, with the amount of new French oak reduced from 100% to just 15%. From its concentrated character to the drinkability of today, it seems to be more Hermitagé than Cote-Rotie in style. Intensely spicy on the nose, it has notes of black olives, black peppers and flowers. In the mouth it shines for its red fruit flavour alongside curry notes and a sweet finish. The tannins are ripe yet slightly dusty. Light bodied despite the vintage, this is a deliciously easy-drinking wine.