Isole e Olena

Elegant, delicate Chianti Classico and every year one of the best of its appellation: Bright red, smells of strawberry and elderberry, fresh fruit on the palate, beautifully juicy and balanced, enormously smooth in the aftertaste. Possesses cut, elegance and despite the optically high price a very good value. SUPERIORE.DE

"Paolo de Marchi is one of the great innovators of Chianti Classico. His Chianti Classico 2016 from Isole e Olena was the undisputed winner of our Trophy. Brilliant, rich ruby red. Very clear and inviting nose, opens with notes of carob, then ripe blackberry and cherry. Juicy and round at the base and on the finish, lots of juicy cherry, smooth, fine-meshed tannin, salty and long, nice tension." Falstaff

"Just mid crimson. Lifted, aromatic cherry nose and tart cherry and raspberry fruit on the palate. Enormous freshness and length and with gorgeous tannic chew on the finish. Racy and energetic!" Jancis Robinson

"A solid red with dusty, firm tannins and beautiful dark fruit and cedar undertones. Shows depth and intensity. Prefer in 2020 when the tannins and acidity will come together better, but already energetic and pretty." James Suckling

"The aromas are very precise, with black raspberry, violet, heather and juniper. It's dense without being rich or heavy, with a rousing core of appetising juiciness. Grainy, ripe tannins will support this effortlessly for at least a decade." Decanter

"Aromas of wild berry, coffee bean, cedar and French oak lift out of the glass. The linear, elegant palate mirrors the nose, offering Morello cherry, pomegranate, espresso and star anise framed in taut, polished tannins. It's balanced, with fresh acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2016 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous wine that very much captures the essence of the house style. Bright floral and savory notes, sweet red cherry fruit, tobacco and mint are all finely knit in this super-appealing, mid-weight Chianti Classico from Isole e Olena. As always, the Chianti Classico here is lithe, aromatically precise and all about elegance." Vinous

"Here's a great value from Tuscany. The 2016 Chianti Classico opens to a stream of pretty aromas, with cherry, blue flower and potting soil at the front line. The fruit is fermented in stainless steel, and the wine ages in oak for a brief seven months. The effect is streamlined and compact, and the wine's natural freshness gives way to wild cherry, cassis and plum." Robert Parker

"Broad and complex, delivering plum, black cherry, almond, leather and earth flavors. The tannins are dusty and well-integrated, while vibrant acidity keeps the flavors pumping through the long finish." Wine Spectator

"A wine of grace and stature, the 2007 Vin Santo is gorgeous. There is plenty of texture and plushness that is typical of the year, and yet the wine has more than enough acidity to play off the caramel, burnt sugar, dried cherry and floral notes. The wine's midweight, understated style belies the >200 grams of residual sugar." Antonio Galloni

"A blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano. The grapes are dried before being pressed, then sealed in barrels for nine years. Paolo de Marchi calls it lazy winemaking and admitted, ‘the blending process is actually the most challenging part as each barrel is different, and after tasting 10 barrels, palate fatigue kicks in’. The result is a very elegant and pure Vin Santo which displays notes of candied fruit, honey and sweet spice. The balance between sweetness and acidity keeps the wine light, vivid and refreshing, and it has a smoky edge on the finish. This is a great Vin Santo, and although it has more than 200g/l of residual sugar it’s surprisingly light, refreshing and easy drinking." Decanter

"The 2007 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (375-milliliters) aims high in terms of residual sugar (at 215 grams per liter), but you'd hardly know. This dessert wine shows great integration with sweet notes of candied fruit, honey, caramel and almond marzipan. There are floral notes as well with jasmine and honeysuckle, but you also get dusty mineral tones and some herbal notes tucked in at the back. This is a medium-bodied wine with enough balanced acidity to keep it light, tonic and refreshing. As always, Isole e Olena produces one of the most elegant and ethereal Vin Santos in Chianti Classico." Robert Parker

Great Syrah with extraordinary complex aromas like cassis, praline, exotic spices, black tea and clove. On the palate very dense, cleanly structured, delicious after ripe black fruits and with earthy notes. Velvety tannins and a long harmonious impression form the impressive finale. SUPERIORE.DE

"Syrah loves a warm vintage, and that's exactly what it gets here. The 2015 Syrah Collezione Privata is a full and generous expression that opens to dark fruit aromas backed by bitter chocolate, spice and smoked bacon. You can identify that Tuscan signature here, thanks to the chalky mineral notes that give this wine so much definition and focus. You do feel some ripeness here with jammy fruit favors followed by sweet tobacco and tar. The wine is rich and succulent in terms of mouthfeel. Some 5,000 wines were produced." Robert Parker

"A very animated syrah that opens with notes of crushed stones, soaked blueberries, fresh herbs, licorice, charcoal and citrus. Full-bodied and intense, but the freshness is undeniable as firm tannins intermingle with vibrant acidity. Primary fruit is quite predominant now, so give this time." James Suckling

"The 2015 Syrah is a total stunner. Bright, polished and impeccably nuanced, the 2015 is all class. Here, too, the purity of the flavors is simply remarkable. Today, the 2015 is quite primary and in need of at least several years in bottle to be at its very best, and yet all the ingredients are there for that to happen. A touch of whole clusters and drops of Viognier add an attractive floral upper register. Stated simply, the Syrah is a wine of precision and class. Only Paolo De Marchi can make Syrah of this level in Tuscany." Antonio Galloni

One of the best Syrah of Tuscany with extraordinarily complex aromas like cassis, praline, exotic spices, black tea and clove. On the palate it is very dense, cleanly structured, delicious with ripe black fruits and earthy notes. Velvety tannins and a long harmonious impression form the impressive final. SUPERIORE.DE

"This screams syrah when you taste it blind, and for all the right reasons — lamb, steak and charcuterie are all there in abundance. Behind that are more herbal nuances, such as blackberry leaf and juniper berries and, of course, blackberries and blackcurrants. On the palate, this toes a fine line between overt ripeness, raw muscle and resounding mineral freshness. Full-bodied and very long and chewy." James Suckling

"I absolutely love this profound and beautiful Syrah from Tuscany. The 2016 Syrah Collezione Privata offers a unique interpretation of the grape that delivers much of the heft, power, smokiness and textural richness of the French grape, however it also shows purely Italian flares of grilled herb, blue flower, moist earth and Toscano cigar. Bold cherry fruit fills the core of this wine, and there is plenty of padding and extra richness at the edges. The wine is rich, velvety and long in terms of mouthfeel. It ages in oak for 18 months. Some 5,000 bottles were made." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Syrah is a fascinating contrast to the 2015. The cooler vintage (vis-à-vis) 2015 yielded a perfumed, silky wine that dazzled with finesse. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice. Vivid and finely sculpted, with tremendous nuance, the 2016 has it all. Paolo De Marchi did five vinifications and used a touch of whole clusters in all the lots, which really seems to bring out an extra dimension of aromatic complexity." Vinous

Floral aromas mixed with toasty notes on the nose, balanced and with mineral freshness on the palate. A very rare, remarkable Tuscan Chardonnay. SUPERIORE.DE

"A very pretty chardonnay with lemon, cooked-apple and light vanilla character. Some meringue, too. It’s full-bodied with creamy texture and a flavorful finish." James Suckling

There are only a few thousand bottles of this private collection. Impressive, dynamic and radiant. Aromas of dark berries, cloves, menthol, tar, liquorice, herbs and grilled meat, the wood tones very restrained. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas and flavors of blackcurrants and dried flowers follow through to a medium body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh finish." James Suckling

"This wine was not produced in 2012 because of the heat, nor was it produced in 2009 because of hail. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata shows a level of focused definition that comes from a cooler vintage. The bouquet offers sour cherry, blackberry, blue flower and forest floor. Grilled herb and spice appear at the back. The wine reveals a slightly nervous personality with tight tannins. Give it another few years of bottle aging." Robert Parker

"The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata is superb. A delicate, nuanced wine in this vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon speaks in hushed tones. Silky tannins and highly expressive aromatics add to an impression of total finesse. In many vintages, the Cabernet can be quite big, but not in 2013. This is a brilliant showing from Isole and proprietor Paolo De Marchi." VINOUS

Brilliant ruby red hue and a clean, flawless scent of red fruits, enlivened by fine peppery accents and delicate mineral nuances. The relaxed, enveloping taste radiates elegance, which provides a perfectly measured acidity to a well integrated tannin to end long and full of finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe, offering black cherry, plum and floral aromas and flavors, this red is harmonious and lush. Shows accents of earth, mineral and tobacco, and the tannins meld together nicely. Finishes with a touch of sweet spice." Wine Spectator

"The 2015 Cepparello is not immediately accessible. Indeed, the wine took some time to open, and I kept going back to my sample bottle throughout the afternoon at different intervals to check on its progress. There is no doubting the enormous potential of its aging trajectory nor the considerable depth of fruit in its current youthful state. However, all those aromatic elements of fruit, spice, tar, tobacco and grilled herb still need to find harmony before they sing in chorus. The mouthfeel is chiseled and tight, and this is where you really sense the potential of its longevity." Robert Parker

"The 2015 Cepparello is pliant and racy, with lovely floral top notes to match its gracious personality. There is good depth to the dark red/purplish fruit, while silky tannins give the wine plenty of immediacy. Time in the glass brings out attractive rose petal and lavender notes to round things out." Antonio Galloni

"Shows lots of black cherries, cranberry tea, caramelized orange peel, roasted herbs and citrus peel. Full-bodied with ripe and quite round tannins that frame layers of cherries. Bright and fresh, yet rich and long at the same time. The sangiovese character really springs out of the glass." James Suckling

Bright ruby red. Clean, flawless scent of red fruits, enlivened by fine pepper accents and delicate mineral nuances. Elegance radiates from the relaxed, enveloping taste, which, together with well-integrated tannins, provides a perfectly measured acidity framework to finish long and finely. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, intense ruby. Very intense and appealing nose, appears calm and balanced, of ripe cherries, blackberries and plums, accompanied by mature balsamic notes. Very juicy at the beginning and the end, shows a lot of present cherry fruit, fine-meshed tannin, in the final salty notes." Falstaff

"This is full of ripe black cherry, plum, earth and mineral flavors, the sweet fruit meshing with dense, dusty tannins. There is a light touch of oak spice, and the finish is long and structured." Wine Spectator

"This is a beautiful Cepparello with transparency and verve; it opens with dark cherries, blackberries, citrus, cumin, Thai basil and eucalyptus. What really strikes you about this wine are not the first sensations of muscular tannin, nor the plush fruit suspended above darker spices - though they are all impressive - but the sudden dart of acidity on the long finish that appears seemingly from nowhere and keeps you coming back for more. Drink from 2023." James Suckling

"Cedar, pipe tobacco, black-skinned fruit and balsamic aromas shape the nose along with French oak and iris. Full bodied and elegant, the savory palate has nice weight, doling out mature Marasca cherry, black plum, espresso, orange zest and exotic spice while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It's still young, with tight-knit tannins, and needs time to come into its own." (Cellar Selection) Wine Enthusiast

"The beautiful Isole e Olena 2016 Cepparello is a gorgeous and precise expression of Sangiovese. This is one of the icon wines of the vintage that shows a naked and transparent portrait of the grape on the one hand, with the complexity of the vintage and its territory on the other. Cepparello is like a crystal ball into the heart and soul of Sangiovese, Tuscany's mighty red grape. The wine delivers ample structure and contouring, with a firm and silky consistency at its core." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Cepparello is dense, dark and also very closed in on itself. Those qualities bode well for the future, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and new leather gradually open up in the glass, but the 2016 is not ready to show all of its cards. This fruit was brought in during the second week of October, which is pretty much optimal at Isole e Olena. The 2016 spent 20 months in French oak, with a bit less than 30% new oak, and a few months in cask prior to bottling. An explosion of floral and spice notes punctuates the super-refined finish. The 2016 is shaping up to be epic. Don't miss it!" Vinous

"Paolo de Marchi's 'study in Sangiovese' is a selection of the vintage's finest grapes from Isole e Olena's oldest vineyards, high up in Chianti Classico's western sector of Barberino Tavarnelle. Harvested in mid-October, it is a captivating tangle of earth, spring blossom, coffee, tobacco and cedar. Perfumed lavender and violet lift the generous dark fruit and the brilliantly tactile powdery texture lends further dimension. This reaches great depths while simultaneously soaring effortlessly to heady heights. Positively succulent and moreish on the finish." Decanter

There are only a few thousand bottles of this private collection. Impressive, dynamic and radiant. Aromas of dark berries, cloves, menthol, tar, liquorice, herbs and grilled meat, the wood tones very restrained. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of elegance and finesse that shows the effects of rain during harvest in its decidedly mid-weight, lithe construction. Even so, the 2015 offers lovely aromatic presence and persistence. Grilled herbs, crème de cassis, licorice, violet, plum, spice and licorice all develop, but the 2015 remains decidedly delicate for this bottling. My impression is that it will age more on its freshness rather than on its concentration." Vinous

"The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata opens to an enriched appearance with round fruit and loads of deep intensity. What is remarkable about this Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon is that it shows none of the greenness or tightness often associated with the grape. This warm and sunny vintage has ironed out any wrinkles and contributes to the loose, rich fabric of the wine. This wine shows lushness and balanced integration. It's a lovely expression whose berry and forest endnotes make it perfect for a rosemary and garlic roasted lamb. Only 6,000 bottles were made." Robert Parker

Floral aromas mixed with toasty notes on the nose, balanced and with mineral freshness on the palate. A very rare, remarkable Tuscan Chardonnay. SUPERIORE.DE

Bright ruby red. Clean, flawless scent of red fruits, enlivened by fine pepper accents and delicate mineral nuances. Elegance radiates from the relaxed, enveloping taste, which, together with well-integrated tannins, provides a perfectly measured acidity framework to finish long and finely. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, intense ruby. Very intense and appealing nose, appears calm and balanced, of ripe cherries, blackberries and plums, accompanied by mature balsamic notes. Very juicy at the beginning and the end, shows a lot of present cherry fruit, fine-meshed tannin, in the final salty notes." Falstaff

"This is full of ripe black cherry, plum, earth and mineral flavors, the sweet fruit meshing with dense, dusty tannins. There is a light touch of oak spice, and the finish is long and structured." Wine Spectator

"This is a beautiful Cepparello with transparency and verve; it opens with dark cherries, blackberries, citrus, cumin, Thai basil and eucalyptus. What really strikes you about this wine are not the first sensations of muscular tannin, nor the plush fruit suspended above darker spices - though they are all impressive - but the sudden dart of acidity on the long finish that appears seemingly from nowhere and keeps you coming back for more. Drink from 2023." James Suckling

"Cedar, pipe tobacco, black-skinned fruit and balsamic aromas shape the nose along with French oak and iris. Full bodied and elegant, the savory palate has nice weight, doling out mature Marasca cherry, black plum, espresso, orange zest and exotic spice while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It's still young, with tight-knit tannins, and needs time to come into its own." (Cellar Selection) Wine Enthusiast

"The beautiful Isole e Olena 2016 Cepparello is a gorgeous and precise expression of Sangiovese. This is one of the icon wines of the vintage that shows a naked and transparent portrait of the grape on the one hand, with the complexity of the vintage and its territory on the other. Cepparello is like a crystal ball into the heart and soul of Sangiovese, Tuscany's mighty red grape. The wine delivers ample structure and contouring, with a firm and silky consistency at its core." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Cepparello is dense, dark and also very closed in on itself. Those qualities bode well for the future, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and new leather gradually open up in the glass, but the 2016 is not ready to show all of its cards. This fruit was brought in during the second week of October, which is pretty much optimal at Isole e Olena. The 2016 spent 20 months in French oak, with a bit less than 30% new oak, and a few months in cask prior to bottling. An explosion of floral and spice notes punctuates the super-refined finish. The 2016 is shaping up to be epic. Don't miss it!" Vinous

"Paolo de Marchi's 'study in Sangiovese' is a selection of the vintage's finest grapes from Isole e Olena's oldest vineyards, high up in Chianti Classico's western sector of Barberino Tavarnelle. Harvested in mid-October, it is a captivating tangle of earth, spring blossom, coffee, tobacco and cedar. Perfumed lavender and violet lift the generous dark fruit and the brilliantly tactile powdery texture lends further dimension. This reaches great depths while simultaneously soaring effortlessly to heady heights. Positively succulent and moreish on the finish." Decanter

The grapes for this exceptional Chianti Classico come from vines growing southwest at an altitude between 350 and 480 metres above sea level. The soil here is characterized by Galestro and limestone. Complex aromas of plum, black cherry, spices and menthol. Complex on the palate with a richness of facets and a taste profile that only gradually opens up and reveals its entire spectrum only to the patient. A parade wine of great depth, class and irresistibility. SUPERIORE.DE

"Full, deep dark ruby, velvety shimmer. Concentrated nose, shows much dark berry fruit, to blackberry, plum, elderberry, deep, in the background to black truffle. Full and powerful in the beginning and course, a lot of dark fruit, at the same time juicy and with a good drinking flow, at the back a lot of ripe cherry, dense, polished tannin, has everything what a great Chianti Classico should have!" Falstaff

"A red with earth, spices, dried fruits and figs on the nose, following through to a medium-bodied palate with firm tannins and a juicy finish." James Suckling

"The cherry and berry flavors are accented by leather, tobacco, iron and earth notes in this firm, dry red. The fruit is expressive and intense, with a solid structure and a finish that goes on for minutes." Wine Spectator

"Dark, saturated and rich, the 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione delivers savory tones of spice and smoke that are folded into dark fruit, prune and dried blackberry. Despite the darkness of the bouquet, this wine shows tartness and freshness in terms of its flavor profile. There is a lot of Sangiovese typicity here, thanks to the delineated character of those wild berry aromas and the crispness of the wine's natural acidity. A mere 2,400 bottles were produced." Robert Parker

"The 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is breathtaking. Beautifully ripe, deep and expressive, the 2013 has it all: deep fruit, stunning aromatic presence and tremendous structure. Black cherry, pomegranate, rose petal, mint and lavender all meld together in this super-expressive, resonant Chianti Classico. An absolutely killer wine, the Gran Selezione is a fabulous, contemporary expression of Chianti Classico at its very finest." Vinous