View photos

Le Macchiole

Paleo Bianco 2016

Toscana IGT

Download

First produced in 1991 in tiny quantities for a local restaurant, Paleo Bianco today is a silky, mineral-driven blend of Chardonnay  and Sauvignon Blanc with loads of savory Mediterranean character.

VINEYARD

The fruit for Paleo Bianco 2016 was sourced from the Casa Nuova vineyard, which was planted in 2009. Yields are notably restricted. The training system is single guyot.

WINEMAKING

Paleo Bianco is fermented in oak barrels of varying sizes for 10 days (20% in 225L, 50% in 300L and 30% in 500L), followed by 7 months of aging (30% in new oak barriques and tonneaux, and 70% in second passage barriques and tonneaux).

VINTAGE

2016 was definitely one of the smoothest years of the past decade. There were no extreme weather conditions, and rain seemed to fall when the vines most needed it. Even temperatures were optimal. Fruit growth proceeded regularly and in optimum conditions, providing excellent yield and perfect ripeness. Green harvesting was performed in late July at the beginning of the veraison process and in late August Le Macchiole began harvesting the white grapes and the first Merlot grapes for Bolgheri Rosso wine. Harvest extended into the month of September and ended in late September with the last Cabernet grapes.

TASTING NOTE

Deep aromas of lime and white flowers and a delicate spicy note reminiscent of almond and hazelnut.
Like the previous vintage, quantities available are limited, as total production is 3,400 bottles.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Appellation

Toscana IGT

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$80.00

Reviews

93

"Shows great precision and focus.”

Wine Advocate - August 9, 2018 “The 2016 Paleo Bianco is mostly Chardonnay (90%) with a smaller element of Sauvignon Blanc (10%). This is a terrific white blend from the Tuscan coast that delivers loads of intensity, energy and impressive complexity. This is one of the most elaborate whites you can find in this beautiful part of Italy. The bouquet is redolent of stone fruit and honey. But the mouthfeel is more  interesting thanks to that playful hint of saffron or cinnamon that adds a touch of piquant spice on the close. This vintage shows great precision and focus.”

91

"impressive concentration on the nose"

James Suckling - September 11, 2018

"This shows some impressive concentration on the nose with grapefruit rind, apple pie, cream and spices. Full body, layers of intense fruit and a phenolic finish. Drink now."

Trade Materials

View all

Le Macchiole Paleo Bianco Bottle Shot

Other Wines by this Producer

View all

Scrio

Toscana IGT

Scrio was born in 1994, out of Eugenio Campolmi's wish to produce a wine which would best express his vision of Syrah, his favorite grape variety. As all Le Macchiole wines, Scrio has an original personality and stands apart from Syrah grown in France or anywhere else - it is an extraordinarily compelling meld of deep and velvety Mediterranean fruit with cool climate aromatics and detail. Given the extremely limited production, Scrio is decidedly a hidden gem.

Bolgheri Rosso

Bolgheri

Bolgheri Rosso is a refined, irresistible blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, serving as an introduction to the estate. The wine is, frankly, almost too good at the price. All the intensive artisanal work that Le Macchiole carries out in its vineyards and cellars benefits this wine, and despite more availability than its Paleo Rosso, Messorio and Scrio siblings, it sells out nearly as quickly.

Paleo Rosso

Toscana IGT

Paleo Rosso has been called Italy's landmark expression of Cabernet Franc. This grape variety is growing internationally as a distinct bottling, but Bolgheri has proven to be the single best place in the world to do so. The Mediterranean climate and surroundings result in a wine of extraordinarily expressive, sensual, and textural fruits and savory spices.

Messorio

Toscana IGT

Messorio, a Merlot monovarietal, is the winery’s crown jewel. Its initial vintage was 1994, and since then it has received extraordinary acclaim, including a 100-point score from the Wine Spectator for the 2004 vintage. The name Messorio refers to the ancient Tuscan practice of wheat harvesting, the most important time of the year in the Bolgheri countryside - once it referred to wheat; these days, it is all about grape harvesting.