Paleo Rosso

Producer history

Le Macchiole was founded in 1983 by Bolgheri native Eugenio Campolmi together with his wife Cinzia Merli. Campolmi died in 2002, at age 40, after a battle with lung cancer; Cinzia Merli has run the estate since, with family members involved in vineyard management. The Paleo Rosso label predates the 2001 Cabernet Franc conversion by some years, though the exact origin year and original blend composition could not be confirmed from available sources.

Signature pairings

• Grilled beef short rib with black pepper crust — The wine's firm tannin and savory, herbal Cabernet Franc character calls for the char and fat of grilled red meat rather than spice-forward heat, which would clash with its structure.
• Beef massaman curry (mild, not chili-forward) (แกงมัสมั่นเนื้อ) — Massaman's warm spice (cinnamon, cardamom, tamarind) and slow-braised beef echo the wine's dark fruit and savory spice notes without the sharp chili heat that would fight the tannin.
• Aged pecorino or hard sheep's-milk cheese — A classic regional pairing — the wine's structure and acidity cut through the richness of aged sheep's cheese, a traditional Tuscan match.