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Le Macchiole

Paleo Rosso 2022

Toscana IGT

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Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso is regarded as Italy’s defining expression of Cabernet Franc, a wine that showcases the grape’s potential in Bolgheri. The region’s Mediterranean climate yields a wine with deep, expressive fruits and savory spices, all with remarkable texture. Originally conceived as a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc, a standout vintage in 2000 prompted the decision to increase the percentage of Cabernet Franc, which brought freshness and acidity to the wine. By 2001, it was bottled as a single-varietal, becoming the first of its kind in Bolgheri and setting the standard for Italian Cabernet Franc.

VINTAGE

The 2022 Bolgheri vintage began with a dry winter and cool spring, resulting in late bud break and low yields due to water stress. A 75-day drought impacted vine growth, but summer rains helped recovery. September's cool nights allowed the grapes to accumulate sugar, aromas, and tannins, leading to good ripening conditions. Despite the challenges, the vintage produced high-quality wines, with a balance of acidity and ripeness thanks to favorable harvest conditions and careful winemaking.

Color

Red

Blend %

100% Cabernet Franc

Appellation

Toscana IGT

Alcohol

14%

Suggested Retail Price

$219

Reviews

97

Wine Enthusiast - November 1, 2025 "The nose is gently textured, with aromas of dried cherries, orange peel, taralli with anise seeds and tulips, while the palate is bolder, with flavors of cherries, chocolate, mint, fennel and licorice. The finish is a very chocolatey chocolate chip cookie, but also recalls those dried cherry notes from the nose."

95

Vinous - February 1, 2025 "The 2022 Paleo screams out of the glass with Cabernet Franc character. Even in this warm, dry year, this coastal Cabernet Franc simply can’t be denied. Pomegranate, blood orange, cinnamon, new leather and incense all saturate the palate. Firm but well-integrated tannins wrap frame it all together in style. Medium in balance and totally sublime, Paleo is impeccably done. Aging was done in new, low-toast barriques and ceramic amphora."

95

James Suckling - May 8, 2025 "A spicy wine with aromas of dried leaves, eucalyptus, smoke, incense, cassis and blueberries. Firm tannins on the palate, with a full body, a dusty texture, crisp, lifted acidity and a chewy finish."

93

Wine Spectator - July 7, 2025 "Saturated with black currant, black cherry and blackberry fruit, this lush red remains fresh and delineated, backed by serious yet fine-grained tannins, with accents of earth, iron and tobacco. Offers balance and length."

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Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso Bottle Shot

Other Wines by this Producer

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Paleo Bianco

Bolgheri

First produced in 1991, Paleo Bianco is a silky, mineral-driven blend of Chardonnay (90%) and Sauvignon Blanc (10%). Perfect for pairing with seafood, this white is well suited to a medium to long aging in bottle.

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.

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.