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 finish. Possesses polish, elegance and, despite the visually high price, very good value. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby with a slight garnet shimmer. Clear and memorable nose with notes of ripe raspberry, some pomegranate and goji berries. Polished and round on the palate, finely woven tannin, pulls through richly, exceedingly juicy." Falstaff

"Lustrous mid ruby. A little savoury/reductive and not that forthcoming and polished as I would have expected, but I am sure this just needs more time in the bottle. A generous mouthful of sweet fruit with firm, grainy tannins gripping the finish. The reductive note clings on, though." Jancis Robinson

"Perfumed nose of dried roses, wild mushrooms, sour cherries, raspberries, olives and spices. Medium-bodied with a firm yet supple tannin frame and a creamy core of red fruit. Delicious finish." James Suckling

"This lovely, delicious red races out of the gate with enticing scents of perfumed berries, blue flowers, forest floor and baking spice. Smooth and savory, the juicy palate features ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and star anise alongside polished tannins. It's already drinking beautifully but will also offer several years of sheer pleasure." Wine Enthusiast

"Owner Paolo di Marchi has not chased the current trend to increase the percentage of Sangiovese and continues to blend Canaiolo Nero and a small percentage of Syrah in his deliciously reliable Chianti Classico. Aromas reveal a warm stone flintiness along with baked Mediterranean herbs and scented purple flowers. Limpid and linear, the palate builds with black plum, rose and sweet earth. Full yet vivid, it's polished yet soulful with seductive truffle nuances to finish, all held together with fine, chalky tannins." Decanter

The grapes for one of the most elegant and ethereal Vin Santo in Chianti Classico are dried before being pressed and then sealed in barrels for nine years. Paolo de Marchi calls it "lazy winemaking" and admits: "The blending process is actually the most challenging part, as each barrel is different and after tasting 10 barrels, palate fatigue sets in".

The result is a very elegant and pure Vin Santo, with notes of candied fruit, honey and sweet spices. The balance between sweetness and acidity keeps the wine light, lively 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 is surprisingly light, refreshing and easy to drink. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fantastic vin santo with toffee, burnt-caramel, dried-orange and light coffee character. It’s full-bodied and very, very sweet, yet remains agile and bright. Drink and enjoy." James Suckling

"The 2009 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is so beautiful. Orange confit, dried figs, caramel, hazelnut and honeyed flavors abound. Medium in body, with striking depth and texture. It's a classic Vin Santo from white grapes, as well as a reference-point for the region. It is at once rich, but not at all heavy." Vinous

"Isole e Olena is celebrated as one of the greatest current producers of Tuscan Vin Santo. The 2009 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a living testament to an important winemaking legacy that is part of this region's ancient winemaking DNA. This is a beautifully soft and rich dessert wine with lingering tones of brown sugar, candied fruit and maple syrup. This is a wine of soaring fragrance and intensity." Robert Parker

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

"So beautiful, with sweet tobacco-leaf, tea, pepper, meat and dark-berry character. Medium-bodied with lots of finesse and polish. Refined tannins and pretty length. Really fine tannins." James Suckling

"The 2018 Syrah Collezione Privata is a wine of extreme purity and nuance. Medium in body and beautifully focused, the 2018 bristles with energy. Blackberry, lavender, spice and espresso all build in the glass. More than anything else, I am so struck by the wine's precision. The 2018 needs a number of years to be at its most expressive. The aromatics especially need to open. And yet all the elements are there. What a wine!" Vinous

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

Radiant ruby red. Clean, flawless aroma of red fruits, enlivened by fine pepper accents and delicate mineral nuances. Elegance radiates from the relaxed onset, enveloping palate that delivers a perfectly measured acid framework to a well-integrated tannin to finish long and finesse-rich. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny ruby with garnet tongue. Opens with notes of cedar and liquorice, then lots of blackberry, some plum. Full-bodied and savoury on the palate, showing plenty of power in the mid-palate, warm fruit on the final." Falstaff

"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

Radiant ruby red. Clean, flawless aroma of red fruits, enlivened by fine pepper accents and delicate mineral nuances. Elegance radiates from the relaxed onset, enveloping palate that delivers a perfectly measured acid framework to a well-integrated tannin to finish long and finesse-rich. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, powerful ruby. Concentrated and open nose, full of ripe blackberries, black cherry and spicy undergrowth, some cigar box. Round and supple on the palate, lots of present, crisp raspberry fruit, opens with fine-mesh tannin, flows quietly along." Falstaff

"Like the 2018 Chianti Classico, Cepparello shows no dilution, although the pure Sangiovese fruit gives a more austere structure. The sour cherry nose is lightly smoky but refined. Rich and very concentrated, the palate is supported by firm tannins that are in stark contrast to the breezier Chianti Classico. At present it's rather closed and furry, and needs time to harmonise and the tannins to integrate. The high alcohol doesn't show, and there's ample energy on the long finish." Decanter

"The 2018 Cepparello is a brilliant, tightly wound wine that is going to need a number of years to unwind. Today I very much like its energy and vibrancy. Readers will find a Cepparello that is more about persistence than volume. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, spice, lavender and menthol are laced into the silky finish." Vinous

"The aromas of dark fruit and hazelnuts are so enticing, with undertones of licorice and slate. Medium to full body with round tannins and a savory finish. It's so pretty to taste now. Just a hint of allspice at the end. Drinkable now, but better in 2023." James Suckling

"A pure expression of Sangiovese, the 2018 Cepparello is a beautiful expression that speaks to the classic and most exemplary side of this versatile and deeply expressive grape. This vintage is especially bright and ethereal with a true sense of luminosity and clarity that radiates from both the wine's appearance and its fragrant bouquet. Tart cherry and cassis segue to balsam herb and wild violets. To the palate, the wine shows muscle and determination with sweet tannins and impressive depth of favor. Cepparello remains true to its unique identity in this vintage." Robert Parker

Radiant ruby red. Clean, flawless aroma of red fruits, enlivened by fine pepper accents and delicate mineral nuances. Elegance radiates from the relaxed onset, enveloping palate that delivers a perfectly measured acid framework to a well-integrated tannin to finish long and finesse-rich. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny ruby with garnet tongue. Opens with notes of cedar and liquorice, then lots of blackberry, some plum. Full-bodied and savoury on the palate, showing plenty of power in the mid-palate, warm fruit on the final." Falstaff

"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

Radiant ruby red. Clean, flawless aroma of red fruits, enlivened by fine pepper accents and delicate mineral nuances. Elegance radiates from the relaxed onset, enveloping palate that delivers a perfectly measured acid framework to a well-integrated tannin to finish long and finesse-rich. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, powerful ruby. Concentrated and open nose, full of ripe blackberries, black cherry and spicy undergrowth, some cigar box. Round and supple on the palate, lots of present, crisp raspberry fruit, opens with fine-mesh tannin, flows quietly along." Falstaff

"Like the 2018 Chianti Classico, Cepparello shows no dilution, although the pure Sangiovese fruit gives a more austere structure. The sour cherry nose is lightly smoky but refined. Rich and very concentrated, the palate is supported by firm tannins that are in stark contrast to the breezier Chianti Classico. At present it's rather closed and furry, and needs time to harmonise and the tannins to integrate. The high alcohol doesn't show, and there's ample energy on the long finish." Decanter

"The 2018 Cepparello is a brilliant, tightly wound wine that is going to need a number of years to unwind. Today I very much like its energy and vibrancy. Readers will find a Cepparello that is more about persistence than volume. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, spice, lavender and menthol are laced into the silky finish." Vinous

"The aromas of dark fruit and hazelnuts are so enticing, with undertones of licorice and slate. Medium to full body with round tannins and a savory finish. It's so pretty to taste now. Just a hint of allspice at the end. Drinkable now, but better in 2023." James Suckling

"A pure expression of Sangiovese, the 2018 Cepparello is a beautiful expression that speaks to the classic and most exemplary side of this versatile and deeply expressive grape. This vintage is especially bright and ethereal with a true sense of luminosity and clarity that radiates from both the wine's appearance and its fragrant bouquet. Tart cherry and cassis segue to balsam herb and wild violets. To the palate, the wine shows muscle and determination with sweet tannins and impressive depth of favor. Cepparello remains true to its unique identity in this vintage." Robert Parker

Radiant ruby red. Clean, flawless aroma of red fruits, enlivened by fine pepper accents and delicate mineral nuances. Elegance radiates from the relaxed onset, enveloping palate that delivers a perfectly measured acid framework to a well-integrated tannin to finish long and finesse-rich. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, powerful ruby. Concentrated and open nose, full of ripe blackberries, black cherry and spicy undergrowth, some cigar box. Round and supple on the palate, lots of present, crisp raspberry fruit, opens with fine-mesh tannin, flows quietly along." Falstaff

"Like the 2018 Chianti Classico, Cepparello shows no dilution, although the pure Sangiovese fruit gives a more austere structure. The sour cherry nose is lightly smoky but refined. Rich and very concentrated, the palate is supported by firm tannins that are in stark contrast to the breezier Chianti Classico. At present it's rather closed and furry, and needs time to harmonise and the tannins to integrate. The high alcohol doesn't show, and there's ample energy on the long finish." Decanter

"The 2018 Cepparello is a brilliant, tightly wound wine that is going to need a number of years to unwind. Today I very much like its energy and vibrancy. Readers will find a Cepparello that is more about persistence than volume. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, spice, lavender and menthol are laced into the silky finish." Vinous

"The aromas of dark fruit and hazelnuts are so enticing, with undertones of licorice and slate. Medium to full body with round tannins and a savory finish. It’s so pretty to taste now. Just a hint of allspice at the end. Drinkable now, but better in 2023." James Suckling

"A pure expression of Sangiovese, the 2018 Cepparello is a beautiful expression that speaks to the classic and most exemplary side of this versatile and deeply expressive grape. This vintage is especially bright and ethereal with a true sense of luminosity and clarity that radiates from both the wine's appearance and its fragrant bouquet. Tart cherry and cassis segue to balsam herb and wild violets. To the palate, the wine shows muscle and determination with sweet tannins and impressive depth of favor. Cepparello remains true to its unique identity in this vintage." Robert Parker