Sangiovese
75cl * Vegan * 15% ABV * Tuscany, Italy
Paolo De Marchi's vineyards, like those of Giovanni Manetti at Fontodi, are superbly tended. This, more than anything, yields wines of the quality that have kept them both ahead of the chasing pack for the past three decades. From 2022 Isole e Olena is the property of Christopher Descours, the owner of Charles Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck, Rare Champagne, Château la Verrerie and Biondi Santi. There is a clear vision to build on Paolo De Marchi’s exceptional results, with a restless quest for quality and excellence.
The name “Cepparello” comes from the stream that originates in the highest point of the vineyards on the estate. Paolo's flagship wine, Cepparello represents his love for Sangiovese. When he first started working on the Isole and Olena estate, he spent years in understanding the potential of Sangiovese, selecting the best grapes from the estate year after year. Today, the wine is still made from the best grapes of the estate.
After fermentation, the wine was 100% barrel-aged, a third in new French and American oak (with American barrels making up 3-5% of the total), a third in one year old oak and the remaining third was put into two year old oak. The wine remained in barrel for 18 months and then matured in bottle for one year before release. Intense and bright ruby in colour, the Cepparello 2019 has aromas of red fruits, cherries and wild berries with a touch of spice. On the palate, flavours of red cherries. The wine is earthy with a depth of complex savoury acidity and soft tannins. Wonderful with roasted red meats and vegetables, pizzas, charcuterie and tomato-based pastas.
Decant for 2+ hours then serve at 16-18 degrees.
Susan Hulme MW “Paolo di Marchi’s leaving present to Tuscany is this delightful 2019 Isole e Olena Cepparello. Cepparello is a blend of Sangiovese from different vineyards, selected by Di Marchi on the basis of “the best exposure, elevation, soil, genetics and age. I feel this adds complexity”…... With the 2019 there is an added precision to the aromas, less heavy oak, and no greenness to the palate. It is concentrated with a rich velvety texture but without any heaviness and with a gentle unforced quality. The tannins are fine and very well integrated, in fact finer and better integrated than even the excellent 2016 vintage…. Supremely graceful, it just gets better and better. 100/100 Points (September 2022)
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com “Ample and creamy, with its classic sense of mid-weight structure, the 2019 has so much to offer. Silky tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish berry fruit. New leather, spice and a hint of oak meld together effortlessly in the glass. I can't wait to check in on it in another 6-12 months or so. The 2019 is shaping up to be positively stellar.” 96/100 Points (September 2021)
Drinking window: 2025-2045
Although the picture shows a cork closure, please be aware that on the shelf we have screwcap closures.