Le Macchiole, Bolgheri, Paleo Rosso 2016

A wine of breathtaking beauty, the 2016 Paleo Rosso possesses off the charts vertical intensity. Sweet floral and spiced notes soar out of the glass in a stunning wine endowed with fabulous depth in all of its dimensions. Cedar, mocha, rose petal, red plum and menthol are bright and beautifully sculpted. Paleo Rosso shows just how profound Cabernet Franc can be on the Tuscan Coast. This is a superb edition of the wine that, in my view, is the Macchiole flagship. The 2016 saw 30-35 days on the skins, followed by malolactic fermentation in cement and 18 months in French oak.

The nose of the 2016 Paleo Rosso is incredible right now, layered and complex with a lot of clarity, its mineral aromatics lifting brightly in the glass, with graphite, pencil lead, currants, cherries, toasted incense, sweet sage, and pressed flowers. As it has been since 2001, it’s entirely Cabernet Franc, and this vintage saw 19 months in new barriques. It has a depth and power to its more cedar notes but has a lot of appeal. Full-bodied, it fills the palate with polished tannins, fresh acidity, and a sense of weightlessness that carries through the long finish. It is already drinking very well but has the structure to age gracefully for another 15 years or more if stored properly. Drink 2026-2041.