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Le Macchiole

Paleo Rosso 2015

Toscana IGT

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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

The 2015 vintage can be described as the most classic expression of the Bolgheri style, a wine of great character and complexity. After a difficult 2014, the steady weather conditions in 2015 led to a long ripening season, without over acceleration of the ripening process.

Winter was mild with average rainfall and Spring saw steady temperatures with significant nigh/day temperature fluctuations and good rainfall.

June saw high temperatures and no rain at all. July saw typical summer weather with night temperatures below average, steady breeze and lack of rainfall. August temperatures were steadier than usual with good rainfall, which led to a slow and constant ripening of the perfectly healthy grapes.

The season ended with an ideal September: temperatures, night/day temperature swings, sunlight, rainfall, everything was perfectly balanced to allow the grapes to reach the best ripeness condition.

TASTING NOTE

There are so much essence-like fruits on the nose of this Bolgheri Rosso, from blackberry perfume and dark-cherry compote to fresher elements of rosemary, lavender, hot stones and citrus. Full body with generous fruit, but the firm and beautifully woven tannin backbone keeps the palate fine and elegant. Very long on the finish.

-James Suckling

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Franc

Appellation

Toscana IGT

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$140

Reviews

97

James Suckling - January 7, 2019 “There are so much essence-like fruits on the nose of this Bolgheri Rosso, from blackberry perfume and dark-cherry compote to fresher elements of rosemary, lavender, hot stones and citrus. Full body with generous fruit, but the firm and beautifully woven tannin backbone keeps the palate fine and elegant. Very long on the finish.”

95

Vinous - March 11, 2019 "The 2015 Paleo Rosso is powerful, dense and super-concentrated, with all of the richness of the vintage very much on display. There is terrific persistence and follow through."

94

Wine Spectator - May 2, 2019 "This red is sleek and concentrated, featuring black currant, black cherry, licorice, tobacco and leather flavors. Balanced and juicy, with a long, mineral-tinged aftertaste. The firm structure will allow this to age."

96

Wine Advocate - May 17, 2019 "There is a gorgeous nuttiness to the 2015 Paleo. It is a highly aromatic expression of Cabernet Franc, with a bouquet of roses and some notes of red cherry. The vineyard team was careful in timing the harvest and fermentations to make sure the fruit did not come in too ripe and so they could maintain the natural freshness of the grapes. The oak used is moderately to highly toasted so they could get more of those nutty notes instead of the more common coffee or chocolate aromas we associate with barrique. It is aged for 22 months and the overall result is incredible."  

93

Wine Enthusiast - May 20, 2019 "Black currant, exotic spice, coconut and espresso mingle with whiffs of violet and cedar. On the smooth, delicious palate, fine-grained tannins give elegant support to cassis, pipe tobacco, chocolate, licorice and coffee. It's surprisingly fresh for the vintage. A hint of grilled bell pepper adds depth to the finish."

Trade Materials

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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.