1993 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 94.5 points

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  4/26/2021 - ChâteauneufDuPfaff Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Gorgeous Paleo from the days when this was still vinified as a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Fully mature, reminiscent of great Bordeaux plus this herbal touch that is oh-so characteristic of Bolgheri wines. It had a bit of a bitter touch at the end that kept it from even higher scores but it was an excellent bottle nonetheless (must have been perfectly stored, label and cork were almost pristine).

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  10/25/2017 - forceberry wrote: 96 Points

  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese with a bit of Cabernet Franc in the mix. 13% alcohol. Tasted alongside most of the Paleo vintages from 2013 all the way to this 1993.
  
  Quite developed, somewhat figgy to mahogany-hued and rather pale cherry red color with a wide, orange rim. Quite developed and ridiculously complex nose with attractive aromas of leafy sous-bois, pipe tobacco, some fresh blackcurrant, a little bit of bell pepper, a hint of raisin and a sweet touch of blackberry marmalade. The wine feels moderately full-bodied and remarkably youthful for its age on the palate with remarkably vibrant and somewhat sweet flavors of ripe boysenberries, rich cassis notes, some raisin, a little bit of prunes, a hint of woody pencil shavings character and a leafy hint of sous-bois. The mouthfeel is very silky and smoothened down by bottle age, but the wine feels still impressively structured with its moderately high acidity and very ample, yet nicely resolved and rounded tannins that contribute more to the chewy texture than to pronounced astringency. The finish is pretty dry, smooth and juicy with developed, complex and very persistent flavors of ripe blackcurrants and boysenberries, some sour plums, a little bit of bitter woody spice, a hint of sweeter raisined fruit and a touch of aromatic cigar box.
  
  An extraordinary vintage of Paleo and a stunningly beautiful effort for a Tuscan red. Many younger Paleo vintages seemed as though their fruit and structure didn't evolve hand in hand - some vintages were pretty much past their peak, yet their structure was very tightly-knit and still in need of cellaring, whereas some vintages were surprisingly youthful, but their structure was about to give in. This vintage, on the other hand, felt like its fruit and structure had went their voyage together and they were now approaching the plateau of maturity - finally, after almost 25 years! The fruit might still have room for further development, but structure-wise the wine is just perfect now: it is firm enough to go with even heartier foods, yet it has softened enough to make the wine very drinkable even on its own. The equally youthful, but more structured vintage 1994 might outlive this wine in the long run, but at this point of time, this wine showed Paleo at its best. Many likened it to an old-school 1er Cru Classé Bordeaux from a warmer vintage at 25 years of age, which I found an apt comparison. Easily one of the greatest non-Sangiovese Tuscan reds I've ever had.

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