One of Italy's best Cabernet Francs, the Le Macchiole 2020 Paleo is very dense and richly concentrated with a level of dark fruit that can only be chipped at and broken down by slow cellar aging. Paleo is always a wine for the long haul. The oak needs time to integrate and find focus. Even at this young stage, the quality of the tannins and the spot-on fruit ripeness is convincing. A note of sweet cherry, exotic spice and dark chocolate make for a long send-off.
James Suckling (95)
Lots of black berries and black olives with currants and rosemary. Full-bodied, chewy and rich with intense tannins and a long and powerful finish. Muscular and toned. A little old school.
Vinous (97)
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.
Falstaff (95)
Intense reflective ruby-purple. Opens on the nose with accented spice notes, graphite and cedar, then black cherry, dark currants and white pepper. Gripping tannin characterises the palate, dark fruit components, emphatically spicy finish, somewhat brittle.
Wine Enthusiast (98)
A riot of pepper lights up the nose, from cracked black to green peppercorn to hot chili. Flint and leather undertones empower the heat, while aromas of raspberry jam and vanilla provide balance. The palate stays spicy, with snappy, confident acidity, but a sweetness lingers, and a finish of chili and chocolate ties everything together. Transcendent. Drink 2030–2040 or beyond.
