2009 Paleo Rosso
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Tasting notes
Fresh, nuanced and super-expressive, the 2009 Paleo Rosso does not taste at all like a ten year-old wine. Cedar, tobacco, menthol, pine, cherry jam and licorice add layers of nuance as this sumptuous, racy, pure Cabernet Franc blossoms in the glass. In 2009, Paleo Rosso was made in much riper and richer style than it is today. Fermentations took place 60% in steel and 40% cement (now it is all cement), and the wine was aged in French oak, with about 75% new barrels with strong toast profiles, both of which have come down with a different mix of coopers and lower toast levels across the board. The oak regime favored ten years ago unquestionably imparts volume as well as flavor traits that are evident even today, but ultimately those are just stylistic choices. Paleo Rosso’s underlying personality still comes through, even in this warm vintage. Readers who own the 2009 should be thrilled, as it is aging spectacularly well. While the 2009 does not have the aromatic intensity or varietal definition of the very best editions, it is a supremely delicious wine.
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Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Paleo Rosso has developed nicely in bottle. Grilled herbs, dried flowers, mint, plum and mocha notes meld together nicely in the glass. In this vintage, Paleo Rosso is noticeably opulent and ripe, yet there are plenty of layers of nuance to explore. The 2009 will never be one of the most profound Paleo Rossos, but it is an excellent choice to drink over the near and medium term.
The 2009 Paleo Rosso (Cabernet Franc) resonates on the palate with notable warmth and richness. Espresso, mocha, dark cherries and plums come to life in this gorgeous, sexy red. The 2009 possesses marvelous length and intensity all the way through to the silky, medium-bodied finish. Today the 2009 impresses for its overt fruit, but varietal notes are much more elusive as the wine is very, very tight.
The 2009 Paleo Rosso (Cabernet Franc) resonates on the palate with notable warmth and richness. Espresso, mocha, dark cherries and plums come to life in this gorgeous, sexy red. The 2009 possesses marvelous length and intensity all the way through to the silky, medium-bodied finish. Today the 2009 impresses for its overt fruit, but varietal notes are much more elusive as the wine is very, very tight. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. I tasted Le Macchiole’s 2009s several times, all with the same results. The 2009 vintage was a difficult one in Maremma because of the hot summer. All of Le Macchiole’s top wines are single-varietal bottlings, which means there is not much that can be done in the cellar to adjust blends, something so many other wineries are able to do in challenging vintages. Overall, the 2009s don’t reach the heights that are customary at Le Macchiole. Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799