Paleo Rosso is a prestigious red wine produced by the Tuscan estate Le Macchiole and classified as Toscana IGT. First produced in 1989, it is considered the winery’s flagship and one of Bolgheri’s distinctive wines. Originally made as a Bordeaux-style blend, it has been produced exclusively from Cabernet Franc since the 2001 vintage. The name paleo refers to a wild herb native to the Tuscan coast, emphasizing the wine’s connection to its place of origin.

It is made from manually harvested, rigorously selected Cabernet Franc grapes, with yields restricted to approximately 800 grams per vine. The fruit comes from several estate plots characterized by varying proportions of clay, limestone, sand, and gravel. Production methods are adjusted according to the vintage, while the current approach involves fermentation and extended maceration in concrete tanks, followed by approximately 16 months of maturation in a combination of new oak barrels, conical wooden vats, and stoneware amphorae.

The wine is deep, concentrated, and elegant, offering aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry, and plum, accompanied by notes of violet, Mediterranean herbs, tobacco, graphite, cedar, and spices. The palate combines pronounced freshness with firm yet polished tannins, minerality, and a long, layered finish. It has excellent ageing potential and is best served at around 16–18°C (61–64°F), with younger vintages benefiting from decanting. It pairs particularly well with roasted beef, lamb, game, truffle-based dishes, and mature hard cheeses.