The Three Graces of Le Macchiole are Messorio, Scrio and Paleo (Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, respectively). Of these three top-tier releases, my favorite is the 2017 Paleo. This is an upright and direct expression of the grape that carefully sheds some dusty or mineral aromas before opening the way for determined black fruit, charred meat, spice and cured tobacco or cigar. There is quite a bit of oak, but it works beautifully against the natural intensity and rich concentration of the hot vintage. More unexpected are those pretty tones of lilac, blue flower and aniseed that add to the detailed rendering and complexity of the bouquet. This wine won my heart.
The 2017 Paleo Rosso is superb. It is also the wine in this range that seems to have handled the rigors of 2017 best. Then again, that is the magic of Cabernet Franc on the Tuscan Coast. The aromatics alone are so alluring. Sweet pipe tobacco, mocha, dried flowers, mint, sage and cedar give Paleo its aromatic lift. Some varietal character has been baked out because of the heat of the year. In exchange, readers will find a Paleo Rosso that will drink well with just a year or two in bottle. The 2017 was fermented in cement and aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, 90% new with light toast.
The 2017 Paleo is lifted with an herbal perfume of wild herbs, dusty earth, and wild raspberry, and it offers ample structure and refreshing acidity. Its tannins are a bit more angular, and it reveals notes of crunchy, snappy cherry fruit along with light toast, with herbal notes on the finish. Anyone shy about greenness will not like this, but I really enjoyed it. Drink 2023-2042. 100% new oak was used for this wine.
Aromas of currants and fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and basil, follow through to a full body with layers of ripe tannins and a chewy finish. This is just a baby now and needs three or four years to come around. Try after 2024.
A slight decrease in quantity on 2017 from 27,000 to 24,000 bottles due to the heat and the selection process. The result is a dark wine dominated by dried eucalyptus leaf and vermouth depth, with bright cassis flavours followed by cedar wood. It's full bodied and refreshing, with thick tannins and a slightly austere finish.
TWI
94pts
The Wine Independent
Bearing in mind this was a hot, very dry vintage and a challenging vintage for most winemakers Le Macchiole have done a really great job with their 2017 Paleo. On the nose, cream, spice and oak notes dominate right now and it is less fruit-focused, but still open and expressive. There are flavors of spice, slight game, leather and light blackcurrant notes but the tannins have a little dry edge on the finish. This is still a very nicely managed example of the 2017 vintage with very good concentration, texture and weight in the middle.
Black currant, cedar, iron and wild herb flavors are wrapped in a cloak of toasty oak in this young, ebullient red, which is well-balanced. Needs a year or two to integrate more fully, or decant now. Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2032. 2,100 cases made, 183 cases imported.
The nose is initially shy but eventually reveals aromas suggesting leather, cedar, Mediterranean brush and espresso. The firm, full-bodied palate shows the heat of the vintage, offering dried blackberry, roasted coffee bean, licorice and grilled sage. Compact, close-grained tannins grip the finish.