Paleo Rosso Toscana IGT 2018 Le Macchiole

You could argue that this wine changed Italian wine, because it was the first to fully embrace the potential of Cabernet Franc in the bel paese. The Le Macchiole 2018 Paleo has a spicy and tangy personality with dark fruit, bitter chocolate and tarry smoke. Coming back to my open bottle 24 hours later, I got some green olive and rosemary essence. The mouthfeel fleshes out considerably, and there is beautiful structure to hold it firmly together. Other vintners in Bolgheri have told me of their difficulties with Cabernet Franc in the 2018 vintage, which saw rain toward the end of the season. This wine feels magically immune to those issues and probably means that the expert vineyard team harvested at the right moment.

Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, plums, chocolate and mushrooms. It’s full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and lively acidity. Round and creamy with harmony and balance. Fresh, yet focused, with chocolate and black-fruit character. Long, flavorful finish with some spices. Drinkable now, but best from 2022.

A profound red, with earth and tar notes dominating black cherry, blackberry and herbal flavors. Tightens up midpalate, before dense, chewy tannins weigh in on the extended finish. Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2042.

Le Macchiole's 2018 Paleo Rosso is an unbelievably beautiful wine. It is also very young. The aromatics are total seduction, but otherwise the 2018 is quite reticent. Bright floral notes and red-toned fruit give the 2018 considerable energy and verve as varietal Franc aromas and flavors start to take shape over time. Readers will have to be patient. The 2018 needs at least a few years in bottle to fully blossom. Even so, it is pretty appealing today.