Le Macchiole Paleo 2012

Professional Ratings

• 97 James Suckling
  Love the aromas to this wine with black olives, red chiles and violets. Full-bodied, very tannic and structured, yet polished and also in harmony. A rich, racy and wonderful young red. Pure cabernet franc. Better in 2017.
• 94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2012 Paleo (Cabernet Franc) is a spicy and enticing wine with loads of intensity and inner harmony. The great thing about this wine is that beyond the power and brawn; the wine shows a much higher level of elegance and sophistication than you may expect. This is the Le Macchiole magical touch. Pretty floral tones are woven within a dark fabric of ripe fruit, grilled herb and exotic spice. The wine is absolutely seamless and smooth.
• 93 Wine & Spirits
  In October of 2015, Cinzia Merli presided over a vertical tasting of Paleo, tracing its evolution from a cabernet sauvignon blend in the inaugural 1989 vintage to a monovarietal cabernet franc by 2001. The warm, dry 2012 growing season was marked by low yields, giving a beautifully textured cabernet franc, its flavors of red plum and black currant loaded with notes of tobacco, dried fennel and black spice. Lively and agile, with firm tannins and lingering notes of smoke and graphite, this is a match for beef braciole.
• 93 Wine Spectator
  Black currant, cherry, cedar, herbs, coffee and spice flavors are the hallmarks of this fragrant, juicy red. Tightens up on the finish, yet remains balanced and long, with fruit and herbal elements echoing on the mouthwatering finish. Cabernet Franc. Best from 2017 through 2025.