Winemaker Notes
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.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Three Graces of Le Macchiole are Messorio, Scrio and Paleo (Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, respectively). Of these three top-tier releases, my favorite is the 2017 Paleo. This is an upright and direct expression of the grape that carefully sheds some dusty or mineral aromas before opening the way for determined black fruit, charred meat, spice and cured tobacco or cigar. There is quite a bit of oak, but it works beautifully against the natural intensity and rich concentration of the hot vintage. More unexpected are those pretty tones of lilac, blue flower and aniseed that add to the detailed rendering and complexity of the bouquet. This wine won my heart.
Rating: 97+
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Paleo is lifted with an herbal perfume of wild herbs, dusty earth, and wild raspberry, and it offers ample structure and refreshing acidity. Its tannins are a bit more angular, and it reveals notes of crunchy, snappy cherry fruit along with light toast, with herbal notes on the finish. Anyone shy about greenness will not like this, but I really enjoyed it.
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Decanter
A slight decrease in quantity on 2017 from 27,000 to 24,000 bottles due to the heat and the selection process. The result is a dark wine dominated by dried eucalyptus leaf and vermouth depth, with bright cassis flavours followed by cedar wood. It's full bodied and refreshing, with thick tannins and a slightly austere finish.
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James Suckling
Aromas of currants and fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and basil, follow through to a full body with layers of ripe tannins and a chewy finish. This is just a baby now and needs three or four years to come around.
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Wine & Spirits
Paleo’s rugged tannins need several hours of air to soften before unfurling flavors of red currant, plum and blackberry. Notes of tobacco, licorice and cacao emerge as the fruit begins to fill out the rangy structure. Less opulent than other recent vintages of Paleo, this wine will reward a few years of patience with further complexity and depth.
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose is initially shy but eventually reveals aromas suggesting leather, cedar, Mediterranean brush and espresso. The firm, full bodied palate shows the heat of the vintage, offering dried blackberry, roasted coffee bean, licorice and grilled sage. Compact, close-grained tannins grip the finish.
Long before it was fashionable, Eugenio Campolmi saw the potential of his homeland, buying his first vineyard in Bolgheri in 1975 baptised "Le Macchiole". In 1987, he hired famed oenologist Vittorio Fiore as a consultant before the later was joined by Luca d'Attoma for years later. In contrast to his renowned neighbors who focused on Bordeaux blends, Campolmi focused on achieving the purest expression of individual varieties, crafting distinct wines of unprecedented quality. Soon Le Macchiole joined Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Guado al Tasso as one of the most prestigious estates in Bolgheri. Following Eugenio's death in 2002, his wife Cinzia Merli, who shares her husband's passion, took over at the estate. Working with Luca D'Attoma, she has carried on her husband's legacy by continuing to make great Tuscan wines.
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.