Le Macchiole
Paleo Rosso 2014
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.
VINEYARD
Paleo Rosso is sourced from four of the estate’s five vineyards: Casa Nuova, Vignone and Madonnina. Vines are planted in two training systems, Double cordon and single guyot.
WINEMAKING
The 100% Cabernet Franc is macerated and fermented for 20 days in concrete tanks, and subsequently aged for 20 months in oak barrels with 75% new and 25% second passage. The wine is fruther aged in bottle for 16 months before release.
VINTAGE
There is no question that the 2014 was challenging for all Italian wineries and Bolgheri was no different: rainfall, changeable weather and constant lack of sun adversely affected the harvest like rarely before. It was a vintage that required hard work and commitment, allowing those who worked carefully, accurately and with passion to make the difference. At Le Macchiole, a lot of time and hard work was put into protecting the grapes through constant canopy management to lighten the foliage, and allow for more sunlight and warmth to receive the grapes. Despite the challenges, the winery is quite please with the results: grape yield was lower than usual, but fruit quality was amazing.
TASTING NOTE
Sweet herbaceous and fruity aromas blend with elegant and intense spicy notes. Very fresh on the palate with impetuous acidity, crunchy fruit and low alcoholic content which make it the perfect wine for food pairing.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc
Appellation
Toscana IGT
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$140
Reviews
“Rich yet focused, with flavors of black currant"
Wine Spectator - August 9, 2018 “Rich yet focused, with flavors of black currant, olive, tobacco and iron. Features a dense grain, yet all the components work together, with balance and light tannins on the fresh, coffee-tinged finish. Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2027.”
Reviews
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
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.
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.
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.
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.
