The 2021 Paleo Bianco is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Sauvignon Blanc that offers fresh acidity, creamy citrus and plenty of sharp mineral definition. This mid-weight white sees partial oak. Only 10% of the Chardonnay sees barrique, and the rest goes into bigger tonneaux. The Sauvignon Blanc goes directly into stainless steel. The purpose of this two-phased approach is to maintain the almost salty aromas that emerge so gracefully. They did not want to prioritize the heavy sweetness or excessively tropical notes of the Chardonnay. This wine will hit the market in March 2023 but was bottled in April of this year. The first vintage made was 1991, and at the beginning, some Vermentino was used in the blend. Later, the blend was mostly Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay as support, but the roles were later reversed. By the way, I tasted the 1992 vintage of this wine at a local restaurant, and it was stunning.

On the market now, the Le Macchiole 2020 Paleo Bianco is slightly less concentrated and textured compared to the upcoming 2021 vintage that I tasted at the same time. The 2020 vintage showed more heat in July, whereas the classic 2021 vintage resulted in more linear and slower ripening. This blend of mostly Chardonnay with Sauvignon Blanc is fragrant, rounded and open-knit with exotic fruits, crisp pineapple, sweet almond and crushed stone. The vineyards are located adjacent to the estate at about 80 meters above sea level.

A blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the 2019 Paleo Bianco is a lovely expression with the salty seaside tones and bright fruit that you can expect of the Tuscan Coast. The fruit focuses on white peach and honeydew melon with wild sage, crushed stone and hints of cumin and turmeric. It is streamlined and tight with a spicy finish that is delivered over a lean to mid-weight mouthfeel. Interestingly, I tasted this wine in the middle of my Alto Adige report and was therefore made extra aware of its slightly softer Tuscan personality.

The Le Macchiole 2018 Paleo Bianco is a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc that offers a very delicate and perfumed bouquet with integrated aromas of peach, white flower, acacia, honeydew melon and a hint of toasted almond. The wine shows a slow progression of aromas and an even tempo in terms of how it opens and reveals itself in the glass. Indeed, there is a distinctively slow-motion aspect to this wine and the way it blossoms so carefully, layer by layer, before your senses. Production is 4,500 bottles.

A blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the 2017 Paleo Bianco is not quite as fleshed out as the 2016, as this wine came out a bit saltier and finer in texture. The citric component of the Sauvignon was very much intact this year, but overall, the earlier harvest (on August 14th) in this hot vintage resulted in a drier quality of fruit. The last rains came in May, and many summer days felt like an open oven on the Tuscan Coast. This Paleo Bianco has strong notes of stone along with that famous citrus power. The team at Le Macchiole did tons of work in the vineyard to counter the challenges of the heat.