Winemaker Notes
First produced in 1989, this incredible wine is the symbol of the winery, and it truly epitomizes Bolgheri. At first, the wine was a classic Bordeaux blend but became a Cabernet Franc monovarietal in 2001; since then, it has been a huge success. The name "paleo" refers to a wild herb found on the Tuscan coast, and it symbolizes a strong local identity and the will to reach all goals.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Monica Larner Issue Date 29th Jul 2022 Source End of July 2022, The Wine Advocate The Le Macchiole 2019 Paleo reveals an extremely precise and etched personality that is perfectly suited to this classic vintage. If you love Cabernet Franc, this is your wine. The bouquet is linear and tight with wet gravel, lead pencil and graphite that make an elegant frame around blackberry and black plum. You taste every last miniature detail in this complex and powerful expression. Fruit comes from a 5.5-hectare plot that rises from 37 to 70 meters above sea level. The soils are a mix of clay, sand, silt, stone and limestone that is characteristic of this stretch of Tuscan coastline. The wine is fermented in cement and aged in barrique for 20 months. On second nose, Paleo begins to offer cardamom pod, exotic spice and fragrant rose water.
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Wine & Spirits
Paleo was Bolgheri’s first pure cabernet franc back in 2001, and its success has inspired others to work with the variety, which now accounts for 16 percent of plantings in Bolgheri. Le Macchiole’s latest release is reminiscent of the stellar 2016 Paleo, highlighting cabernet franc’s best varietal features while showing a bit more richness than the previous vintage. The 2019 Paleo’s flavors of plum and raspberry are pure and piquant, suggesting the fruit was harvested at precisely the right moment. Accents of sweet tobacco, soft leafy herbs and cool graphite enhance the varietal expression of the wine as subtle spice notes emerge on the long, layered finish.
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Decanter
In 2019, Paleo regains its precise and stylish character alongside amazing concentration. Fermented and macerated in concrete, this Cabernet Franc is then aged in new French oak for 18 months. Dark and crimson, it shows restrained cassis wrapped up in a pallete of spices and milk chocolate, with assertive eucalyptus and delicious Parma violet. The palate is juicy and almost zesty, velvety and woven with tannins soaked in violet and cassis. Remarkable length with integrated toastiness.
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Wine Enthusiast
A gripping high-wire act of balance and integration, with a nose of cedar chips, wild herbs, black pepper, bergamot and underbrush and a palate of bing cherry, mixed berries, soy sauce and licorice candy. Tannins that feel like a firm guiding hand and an acidic heat that simmers underneath come together for a showstopper. Drink now or enjoy through 2039.
Cellar Selection -
James Suckling
A full-bodied, powerful and polished red with aromas of dark plums, dark cherries, tobacco, bay leaves, dark chocolate, mocha and cedar. Firm, ripe tannins. Compact and muscular. Yet, it remains fresh. Will soften. Try after 2025.
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Wine Spectator
Boasts a beam of black currant fruit matched with black olive, bell pepper, wild rosemary, tar and vanilla aromas and flavors. A crisp and focused red, with light tannins lining the lively finish. Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038.
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.