Wine Advisor
Le Macchiole, Paleo Rosso 2022
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The second wine tasted in our series of the big three from Le Macchiole is the 2022 Paleo. Indeed, this wine delivers a bigger overall footprint with blackcurrant and blackberry. Fruit comes from one of the estate's oldest vineyards that was planted in 1999. In addition to that site, the wine also sees fruit from Vigna Vignone and a small part from a third site with younger vines planted in 2016. It sees 25 days of skin contact during fermentation in cement. It ages in a combination of barrique and Tava vessels for up to 16 months. Lees contact was avoided so as not to create too much softness, and the oak used leans toward longer, slower toasting (within the medium-toast parameters) in order to keep the fruit bright. The Paleo delivers elegant, fine tannins and excellent length. Paleo is a bigger production of 26,700 bottles.
About the Producer
“Le Macchiole is renowned for its Messorio which is without a doubt one of Italy’s most charismatic Merlots.” - James Suckling Founded in 1983 by Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli, Le Macchiole was one of the first wineries to be established in Bolgheri, in Tuscany. The ongoing development of this 24 hectare, organically farmed estate, has enabled the winery to become a leading Italian brand. Now under the leadership of Cinzia and her talented team, there is a rigorous approach to everything that they do. This shows itself in championing single varieties in their very top wines, in planting density and viticulture, harvest and wine making. One variety, one wine, is the philosophy adopted by the winery. All the Macchiole’s top wines are single-varietal bottling: Using Syrah to produce Scrio, Merlot to make Messorio and the Cabernet Franc is kept for the iconic wine, Paleo Rosso, recognized as one of the finest examples of Bolgheri winemaking.
