2020 Le Macchiole, Paleo Rosso, Toscana IGT, Bottle (750ml)

AG97 The 2020 Paleo Rosso is classy, elegant and wonderfully polished. Crushed flowers, spice and blood orange lend brightness. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, Paleo Rosso offers tons of depth. Historically it has aged quite well. I expect that will be the case here also, as the 2020 exudes balance from start to finish. The 2020 spent 18 months in 100% French oak, with 5% of the wine aged in amphora.

JD97 The 2020 Paleo offers up more concentration of color with a hint of purple. Aromatically, this moves into some black fruit as well as red fruits of boysenberry, violets, pencil shavings, and cedar. Full and round, with ripe tannin and a round mouthfeel, it offers iron-rich earth, mixed berries, and a floral finish. It feels sunny and warming without being baked and is a more generous wine to drink 2024-2044.One of the benchmark wineries of Bolgheri, Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli purchased the estate in 1983 and planted their first four hectares of vines. Today, Cinzia Merli is joined by her two sons, Elia and Mattia, who work together to run the estate. Their holdings now consist of ten parcels, eight in Bolgheri and two in Bibbona, just to the north. In the vineyards, they practice organic farming while also implementing some biodynamic practices. Paleo Rosso’s first vintage was in 1989, before becoming exclusively dedicated to Cabernet Franc in 2001. Today, they make some of the most compelling ranges of single varietal wines. Messorio is dedicated to Merlot, Scrio to Syrah, and Paleo Rosso to Cabernet Franc.