2014 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso

Captivating aromatics, bright fruit and silky, ripe tannins give the 2014 Paleo Rosso much of its inviting personality. Arresting in its beauty, the 2014 is translucent, pretty and highly nuanced. The cold, late-maturing vintage did not allow for a super-concentrated style, so the winery followed the natural rhythm of the vintage, and to great effect. In other words, the estate got every ounce of potential out of the year. In 2014, Paleo Rosso is a touch slender, but it is also vivid and exquisitely beautiful. Readers should expect a perfumed Paleo Rosso built on grace rather than power. The 100% new French oak is impeccably balanced. In other words, Le Macchiole crushed it.

The 2014 Paleo (100% Cabernet Franc) shows an introverted personality, much like the Messorio from the same vintage. With a few stern swirls of the glass, the wine begins to show increased substance and grit with black fruit, cured leather and spice aromas. The wine oozes darkness overall. It appears opulent and bold in terms of aromas, yet the mouthfeel is more streamlined and compact instead. In terms of the palate, this edition of Paleo definitely needs to flesh out further with additional cellar aging.