Le Macchiole

Paleo Bolgheri Cabernet Franc

9.142 ratings
9.111 pro ratings
Bolgheri, Livorno, Tuscany, Italy
Cabernet Franc
Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Hard Cheese, Blue Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Potato, White Rice, Herbs, Tomato-Based, Pasta, Mushrooms, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Beef, Soft Cheese, Chicken, Lamb, Turkey, Pork, Duck, Venison
Top Notes For
Peter Sultan

Fascinating entry to Italian expression of cab franc on its own. Sleek but a philly, real powerful & expressive, bell peppers on steroids. A hit w crowd

Fascinating entry to Italian expression of cab franc on its own. Sleek but a philly, real powerful & expressive, bell peppers on steroids. A hit w crowd

Jan 9th, 2017
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Nice round darker fruit and chocolate. Beautiful bottle evolution.

Nice round darker fruit and chocolate. Beautiful bottle evolution.

Sep 3rd, 2016
Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

Holy guacamole!!!! This is maremma!!!! We were drinking really good Santa Barbara Pinot and honestly it would be really hard to go back to California wines after drinking this. Impeccable balance, finesse and elegance

Holy guacamole!!!! This is maremma!!!! We were drinking really good Santa Barbara Pinot and honestly it would be really hard to go back to California wines after drinking this. Impeccable balance, finesse and elegance

Feb 26th, 2016
Eric Hwang

Big and earthy with a distinct green pepper aroma that reminded me of early WA Cab Franc. Even a bit of jalapeño pepper on the palate. Decanting helped smooth out the rough edges.

Big and earthy with a distinct green pepper aroma that reminded me of early WA Cab Franc. Even a bit of jalapeño pepper on the palate. Decanting helped smooth out the rough edges.

Dec 13th, 2015
John Skupny - Lang & Reed Wine Company

Last bottle of this beauty. Pure, great volume & lengthy! Wish I had more!

Last bottle of this beauty. Pure, great volume & lengthy! Wish I had more!

Oct 25th, 2015
Tom Riley

2007. Accessible right away. Smooth, precise, great balance. Can't wait until I run into this beauty again. Thanks, Phil Jensen.

2007. Accessible right away. Smooth, precise, great balance. Can't wait until I run into this beauty again. Thanks, Phil Jensen.

Sep 8th, 2015
Tracy Hall

Wow. Surprisingly great. Balance and structured without being over the top. Very well made Franc.

Wow. Surprisingly great. Balance and structured without being over the top. Very well made Franc.

May 4th, 2015
Bryan Lipa

100% Cabernet Franc from Tuscany! Silky smooth, good acid, impressive...

100% Cabernet Franc from Tuscany! Silky smooth, good acid, impressive...

Jul 14th, 2014
Jeroen Koenen

Smoke, oak, toast, grilled herbs and vegetables. After an hour or so, black fruit emerges. But the tannines are still quite obtrusive.

Smoke, oak, toast, grilled herbs and vegetables. After an hour or so, black fruit emerges. But the tannines are still quite obtrusive.

Feb 22nd, 2025
Mike Evans

I think I would have rated it higher in different company, but it seems a little over the top tonight.

I think I would have rated it higher in different company, but it seems a little over the top tonight.

Aug 3rd, 2024