{"product_id":"le-macchiole-paleo-rosso-doc-2021-tuscany-italy","title":"Le Macchiole Paleo Bolgheri Rosso DOC 2021 (Tuscany, Italy) - [WE 98] [DM 98] [JD 97+] [VM 97+] [WA 97] [JS 96] [WS 94]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Winery:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday, Bolgheri is among Italy’s most famed wine producing regions, but this seemed far from a possibility in 1983, the year Le Macchiole was founded and a time when the area was known simply for a close proximity to the sea and having abundant fruit and grain agriculture. Yet, two natives of Bolgheri, Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli, were devoted to the idea of vine growing in their home region even when it was not considered a viable way to start a living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLe Macchiole can best be defined as the “Boutique Bolgheri.” The winery is known for its spectacular single-varietal wines, and their signature grape varieties are Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eAbout this Wine:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst 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 mono-varietal 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Reports:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe year began with a rainy winter that saw higher than average temperatures, which brought about a slow start to pruning. Temperatures rose slightly in spring, causing rapid budding of both Chardonnay and Merlot, which in turn exposed those two varieties to a higher risk of frost damage at the beginning of April, when temperatures dropped to near freezing overnight for two consecutive nights. Thankfully, there was no evident damage as a result. Thanks to the water reserves accumulated during the winter rains, the rising temperatures during the second half of April brought about a rapid vegetative growth and constant development of the vine shoots, which continued through the entire month of May. The summer had a classic, positive start, with a slight delay of flowering, fruit set, and veraison due to the spring frost; the season ended with a very dry period that continued through all harvest. Harvest began during the third week of August, as it had in previous years, and continued through the end of September, which saw rainfall during the final phases of the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTechnical Sheet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDenomination: Toscana IGT\u003cbr\u003eFirst Vintage: 1989\u003cbr\u003eGrape varieties: 100% Cabernet Franc\u003cbr\u003eVineyards: Casa Nuova 1998-2013, Vignone 1999, Ulivino 2016\u003cbr\u003eTraining System: guyot and head-trained\u003cbr\u003eYield: 800 gr per plant\u003cbr\u003eHarvest period: second and third week of September\u003cbr\u003eWinemaking: fermentation and maceration for 25 days in concrete tanks\u003cbr\u003eAging: 16 months in new oak barrel, conical trunk cask and stoneware amphora\u003cbr\u003eBottling: August 16, 2023\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRatings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 Points - Wine Enthusiast:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Like all of the wines of Le Macchiole, the 2021 Paleo is coursing with energy, exuding a self-assured confidence that makes it stand out even in a category of wines that are defined by their unabashed bravado. It’s interesting that this seems to have sometimes played against its favor in critical reception, even as other much brawnier wines have been more lauded, but as Machiavelli said, if you can’t be both feared and loved, better to be feared. And this is a fearsome, awe-inspiring wine indeed.\" – Danielle Callegari (Dec 2024)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 Points - Decanter Magazine:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003e\"Le Macchiole's iconic Paleo has evolved from a Bordeaux-style blend into a unique single-variety expression of Tuscany's coastline. This pioneering 100% Cabernet Franc is sourced from three estate vineyards and ferments for 25 days in concrete tanks before spending 16 months in new oak barrels, conical trunk casks and stoneware amphorae. In the glass it's sublime, showing wild blackberries, blood orange, black cherry and thick herbal shrub characters. Lilting wild flowers, bitter chocolate and espresso balance nicely alongside dusty tannins. It's a thinking, fireside wine with impressive ageing potential.\" – Isabel Salamon (Mar 2025)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This is an extraordinary vintage of the 2021 Paleo that I was able to taste several times. Profound and complex, it’s balanced, layered, and pure. The nose cascades with aromas of cassis, graphite, fresh mint, crushed Mediterranean herbs, polished leather, and tobacco. The palate has a good deal of depth, but it’s focused and detailed. It has a noble feel, with a mouthwatering structure and a long-lasting and exceptional finish. This is one of the best vintages I have tasted of Paleo Rosso, and it has the structure to cruise for decades.\"' – Audrey Frick (Mar 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97+ Points - Vinous Media:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The 2021 Paleo Rosso (Cabernet Franc) soars out of the glass with high-toned Franc aromatics. Crushed red-toned fruit, blood orange, espresso, mocha, licorice and exotic spice infuse the palate with a notable textural intensity that builds over time. Paleo Rosso typically needs a few years in bottle to blossom. I expect that will be the case here as well. It’s an impressive wine from Le Macchiole. Aging was 16 months, mostly in low-toast French oak barrels, with a touch (4%) of stoneware amphora.\" - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2024)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - Wine Advocate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"In many ways, this bottle best represents the modern face of Bolgheri. I am referring to the chapter that starts after the international success of the so-called \"aia\" wines (Sassicaia and Ornellaia). In this new world, Coastal Tuscany faces new important challenges linked to climate change and competition from other celebrated Tuscan wine appellations. Debuted in 1989, what sets it apart is the choice of grape: Cabernet Franc. Paleo was a lone ranger back then, but today the percentage of new Cabernet Franc vineyards in the region is taking off at breakneck speed. But Le Macchiole was the first to work with it at this quality level. The 2021 Paleo is especially tight, intense and direct. These are characteristics of the vintage and of the house style. I tasted this vintage from barrel two years ago, and my remark was that the wine focuses on red and purple fruits as well as the black ones. This remains true now that the wine is in bottle. Those fruit tones cede to a floral interlude of heritage rose that leads to mulled spice and Turkish coffee. The 2021 vintage is slightly curbed or streamlined in terms of mouthfeel, holding back just a bit for extra tension and extremely elegant results.\" – Monica Larner (Feb 2024)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - James Suckling:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWow. This is very polished and sophisticated with currant, spice, fresh-herb and cedar character that goes on for minutes on the finish. The tannins are so refined yet muscular, with form and tension. Give this time to soften and come around, but a very serious red by all accounts. Small percentage of amphora aging.\" (Jul 2024)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Wine Spectator:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Mint, bell pepper and vanilla accents frame the core of blackberry and black currant flavors in this supple red, which feels open, despite the dense, assertive tannins that leave a pleasant astringency on the finish. Shows fine length. Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038. 2,120 cases made, 160 cases imported.\" – Bruce Sanderson (Oct 2024)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BREAKTHRU","offers":[{"title":"750 ml","offer_id":53374667129197,"sku":null,"price":199.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0481\/8940\/7391\/files\/LEMACCHIOLE_PALEO2021_f7k9qim8.jpg?v=1779932413","url":"https:\/\/artisan.wine\/products\/le-macchiole-paleo-rosso-doc-2021-tuscany-italy","provider":"Artisan W\u0026S","version":"1.0","type":"link"}