Le Macchiole

Le Macchiole is an estate in the Bolgheri district of Tuscany particularly known for its three varietal IGT Toscana red wines. Paleo, Messorio and Scrio are often judged to be the best examples of their type produced in Italy.

The estate covers 24 hectares (60 acres) in Bolgheri, divided between clay-loam soils and a more limestone-influenced soil. The diversity of this terroir means site selction is vital for the various varieties. The vines have been farmed organically since 2002.

La Macchiole was founded in 1983 by a young couple, Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli. They released their first vintage in 1987, with the first release of the flagship Paleo released in 1989. At the time, Paleo was a Bordeaux blend, but in the 1990s, La Macchiole began to move toward making varietal wines. Campolmi passed away in 2002, and the estate has been run by Merli since.

Paleo began life as a Bordeaux blend but is now made entirely from Cabernet Franc, and is one of the most famous wines from this variety in the world. It is fermented in stainless steel and cement vats then aged for 20 months in barriques, of which 75 percent are new. Messorio is 100 percent Merlot, fermented in stainless steel and larger barrels then aged in the same way as Paleo. Scrio is a Syrah, which sees 20 months aging in 75 percent new oak.

The estate makes a couple of other wines, including a barrique-fermented Sauvignon Blanc – Chardonnay blend called Paleo Blanc and a entry-level red wine called Le Macchiole, made from a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah.