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

"Mid crimson. Stony, saline nose of cherry fruit. Elegant, sappy sweet red fruit with a layer of powdery tannins. Its freshness is impressive for this torrid vintage." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright, punchy and so full of character, the 2017 is absolutely delicious. Sweet berry, cedar, tobacco, rose petal and subtle earthy notes all grace the 2017, an exquisite wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring. More than anything, I am so impressed with the wine's energy." Vinous

"A very pretty 2017 Chianti Classico with a beautiful core of ripe fruit and layers of round, lightly chewy tannins. Dark cherries, walnuts and chocolate." James Suckling

"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

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

"Mid crimson. Stony, saline nose of cherry fruit. Elegant, sappy sweet red fruit with a layer of powdery tannins. Its freshness is impressive for this torrid vintage." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright, punchy and so full of character, the 2017 is absolutely delicious. Sweet berry, cedar, tobacco, rose petal and subtle earthy notes all grace the 2017, an exquisite wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring. More than anything, I am so impressed with the wine's energy." Vinous

"A very pretty 2017 Chianti Classico with a beautiful core of ripe fruit and layers of round, lightly chewy tannins. Dark cherries, walnuts and chocolate." James Suckling

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

"The 2018 Chardonnay is so gorgeous. Lemon confit, white flowers, tangerine and apricot all grace this soft, beautifully polished Chardonnay from Isole e Olena. The 2018 is perfumed, gracious and incredibly expressive. It is also without question the finest Chardonnay made in Tuscany." Vinous

"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

"The Isole e Olena 2018 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a finely chiseled and precise expression. The wine benefits from cooler pre-harvest nighttime temperatures that have pushed aromas of apricot, waxy orchard fruit and sweet pear. The is a full-bodied white that remains remarkably light on its feet and lithe in character. This vintage achieves truly remarkable balance, and I don't say that lightly. Luscious primary fruit and toast are measured against the wine's racy acidity and its chalky finish. This is one of the best Chardonnays to be found in Tuscany." Robert Parker

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

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 reserved. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Isole e Olena 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata opens nicely to show rich but balanced concentration and generous aromas of dark fruit, plum, exotic spice and fragrant cedar wood. I tasted the wine at two intervals in time, once when the bottle was first opened and a second time the following day from the same bottle. The wine opens generously, showing a fluid and steady evolution of aromas that starts with some tart fruit and forest floor, later to develop into the softer and sensuous flavors I have described above. The tannins are delicately woven into the greater fiber of the wine to offer support without any sharpness. The entire drinking experience is seamless and smooth." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is among the finest Cabernet Sauvignons in Italy. High altitude sites in Barberino yield a distinctly mid-weight, elegant, savory Cabernet that is all about reserve. Dark plum, espresso, licorice, menthol and sage start to emerge with a bit of air, but the 2016 is a wine that demands cellaring. Over the years, I have had the good fortune to taste every vintage of the Isole e Olena Cabernet. It is one of the great under the radar wines of Tuscany. The 2016 takes its place with the very finest editions." Vinous

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

"A beautifully linear and refined sangiovese with polished tannins and super tight fruit. Yet, it shows subtle complexity of blackberries, black cherries and dark chocolate. Some hazelnuts. Intense, vibrant finish with a creamy texture. Extremely well done for this hot, dry vintage." James Suckling

"The Isole e Olena 2017 Cepparello is one of the great Sangiovese-based wines of the vintage. From a growing season that was challenging for almost everyone in Italy, this wine sails through, pushed by a profound sense of varietal purity. This dark, mid-weight red reveals lifted tones of cherry, wild rose, rosemary essence, toasted almond and potting soil. These components come together with seamless transitions and a polished finish. The tannins are elegant and integrated. The wine defies the expectations of the vintage." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Cepparello is another in a series of stunningly beautiful Cepparellos from Paolo de Marchi. Bright and beautifully focused in the glass, with tremendous depth, the 2017 is positively stellar from the very first taste. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, menthol and coffee all open up with a bit of air. Here, too, Paolo De Marchi has done a tremendous job in preserving freshness in the wine. Readers who can muster the patience will be rewarded with a spectacular wine." Vinous