“Paleo” Rosso Toscana IGT 2021

Az. Agr. Le Macchiole | Tuscany
Le Macchiole s.a. s.s. | Via Bolgherese 189a | IT 57022 Castagneto Carducci

09832221 · 0,75 l · 166,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Limitation of 6 articles per customer

It was Eugenio Campolmi who, in 1989, plucked up the courage to give his flagship the name of a wild herb that grows on the Tuscan coast. Eugenio Campolmi (†2002) was not originally from the world of wine. He came from a family of restaurateurs and should have taken over his parents' restaurant and trading business. Instead, he and his wife Cinzia Merli took a bold leap into the unknown in 1983. Paleo – a name that stands for unbending identity and the will to achieve any goal. What began as a classic Bordeaux blend found its true destiny in 2001: 100% Cabernet Franc, a revolution in the still young Bolgheri.

The full expressiveness of this grape variety is revealed in the glass: Intense aromas of cassis and graphite interweave with Mediterranean herbs, polished leather and a hint of fresh mint. 25 days of maceration in concrete tanks, followed by 16 months of ageing in new oak barrels, conical wooden containers and stoneware amphorae – each vessel contributes to the multi-layered texture. An impressive depth unfolds on the palate, focussed and rich in detail, carried by an energetic self-confidence that makes this wine stand out even in the illustrious company of Bolgheri. Paleo is more than just a wine – it is the embodiment of Tuscan boldness, a Cabernet Franc that speaks its own language, far removed from any French comparability. A monument to the terroir that needs time to unfold its full splendour. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, dark ruby-red centre with a fine rim. Pronounced nose of black cherry and blueberry, sweet tobacco, marzipan and fine woody spice. Polished on the palate, dense fruit in the centre on tightly woven tannins, full-bodied finish." Falstaff

"Cabernet Franc in purezza with a spicy-intense nose of blackberries and herbs, pepper and undergrowth; pithy in the mouth, the tannins robust, lots of character and great length on blackcurrants, blood oranges, spices. Still needs to mature." Vinum

"Mint, paprika and vanilla frame the blackberry and blackcurrant flavours in this supple red that feels open, despite the dense, assertive tannins that leave a pleasant astringency on the finish. It has a nice length." Wine Spectator

"This wine is very polished and refined with flavours of currant, spice, fresh herbs and cedar that linger for minutes on the finish. The tannins are so refined yet muscular, with shape and tension. Give this wine time to soften and develop, but it is definitely a very serious red wine. Small percentage of amphora ageing." James Suckling

"The 2021 Paleo is particularly dense, intense and direct. These are characteristics of the vintage and the house style. I tasted this vintage in barrel two years ago and my observation was that the wine focuses on the red and violet fruits as well as the black fruits. This is also true now that the wine is in the bottle. These fruit tones are replaced by a floral interlude with a rose scent that leads to mulled wine and Turkish coffee. The 2021 vintage is slightly restrained or streamlined in the mouthfeel, it holds back a little, which gives it additional tension and an extremely elegant result." Wine Advocate

"The Paleo Rosso 2021 (Cabernet Franc) emerges from the glass with high-toned Franc flavours. Crushed red fruits, blood orange, espresso, mocha, liquorice and exotic spices give the palate a remarkable textural intensity that increases with time. Paleo Rosso usually needs a few years in the bottle to develop. I assume that this will also be the case here. It is an impressive wine from Le Macchiole." Vinous

"Like all Le Macchiole wines, the 2021 Paleo is bursting with energy and exudes a self-assured confidence that makes it stand out even in a category of wines characterised by their unashamed bravado. It is interesting that this sometimes seems to have worked to its disadvantage in criticism, even if other, much beefier wines have been praised more, but as Machiavelli said, if you cannot be feared and loved at the same time, it is better to be feared. And this is indeed a fearsome, awe-inspiring wine." Wine Enthusiast

"Le Macchiole's iconic Paleo has evolved from a Bordeaux-style blend to a unique varietal expression of the Tuscan coastal region. It is sublime in the glass, displaying wild blackberries, blood oranges, black cherries and dense herbaceous bushes. Delicate wild flowers, dark chocolate and espresso harmonise well with dusty tannins. It's a thoughtful, chimney-like wine with impressive ageing potential." Decanter