Le Macchiole : Paleo 2022

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Paleo 2022 from Le Macchiole

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a ruby-red hue.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of black cherries and plums, alongside notes of chocolate, mocha, and toasted herbs.

Food and wine pairings

This wine will pair perfectly with grilled red meats, game in sauce, or aged hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate the Paleo 2022, it is recommended to decant it one hour before serving and to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C.

An outstanding Cabernet Franc from Bolgheri in Tuscany

The estate

Founded in 1981 in Bolgheri by Eugenio Campolmi, Le Macchiole is among the pioneering estates in this Tuscan region that has become emblematic of the Super Tuscans. Since 2002, Cinzia Merli, Eugenio’s wife, has carried on his legacy alongside oenologist Luca D'Attoma. Spanning around thirty hectares across twelve plots with varied terroirs and farmed biodynamically since 2010, Le Macchiole stands out for its unconventional approach, favoring single-varietal wines that elegantly express the singularity of each terroir.

The vineyard

Paleo Rosso is produced from three vineyards located on Bolgheri’s Tuscan coast: Casa Nuova, planted between 1998 and 2013, Vignone, dating from 1999, and Ulivino, established in 2016. The Cabernet Franc vines are trained in Guyot and gobelet, with a controlled yield of 800 grams per vine. This part of Tuscany benefits from an exceptional terroir where paleo grows, a wild herb that gave the wine its name and symbolizes the strong identity of this coastal territory.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage began with a dry winter and spring that led to a late budbreak, four weeks behind schedule. The hot summer then sped up flowering and triggered early veraison. The lack of rain resulted in uneven ripening, requiring a rigorous selection of grapes. Fortunately, rainfall and cooler temperatures in mid-August saved the vintage, allowing excellent ripening of the red varieties. Harvesting took place during the third week of September.

Winemaking and aging

Following hand harvesting, the Paleo 2022 underwent fermentation and a 25-day maceration in concrete tanks. Aging then took place over 16 months in a combination of new oak barrels, tronconic foudres, and stoneware amphorae. Bottling was carried out on August 7, 2024.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Franc