Le Macchiole: A Frenchman in Tuscany

Please note: This masterclass is available only to guests attending Riga Wine & Champagne’s “TOP 100 Wines & Chefs” event. In other words, you will not be admitted to the masterclass without a TOP 100 Wines & Chefs ticket.

Le Macchiole is one of Bolgheri’s cult names, and this is a rare opportunity to compare its wines in a vertical tasting. We’ll put the mature 2016 and youthful 2024 Bolgheri Rosso side by side, while the main focus will be the legendary Paleo Rosso, one of Tuscany’s most distinctive Cabernet Francs. We’ll discuss how Tuscany’s terroir has tamed the French aristocrat Cabernet Franc, why Paleo Rosso is counted among the world’s greatest wines of this variety, and what happens to this Super Tuscan as the years pass in the bottle. We’ll look for answers together with Le Macchiole winemaker Gianluca Putzolu.

2016 Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso DOC
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah | Tuscany (Bolgheri), Puntone & Nuova Vignone | 10 months: 80% in oak barriques, 20% in concrete tanks | Noble Wine

2024 Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso DOC
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese | Tuscany (Bolgheri), Vignone, Casanuova, Sommi & Puntone | 10 months: 60% in oak barrels used for the third and fourth time, 40% in concrete tanks | €37 | Noble Wine

2016 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso Toscana IGT
100% Cabernet Franc | Tuscany (Bolgheri), Puntone, Casa Nuova & Vignone | 19 months in new oak barriques | Noble Wine

2021 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso Toscana IGT
100% Cabernet Franc | Tuscany (Bolgheri), Casa Nuova, Vignone & Ulivino | 16 months in new oak barrels, truncated-cone-shaped casks and stoneware amphorae | €130 | Noble Wine

The masterclass will be in English. Led by Le Macchiole winemaker and director Gianluca Putzolu. Moderated by Aigars Nords and Andrew Jefford.

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