Isole e Olena
About Isole e Olena
Made all the more impressive given the incredibly high bar set by the two previously outstanding vintages (2015 and 2016), Isole e Olena has been on a relentless march of excellence in recent years. Currently one of the most widely loved and highly sought-after producers in Tuscany, the Piedmont-native de Marche family purchased two properties, Isole and Olena, in the 1960s before combining them to leave current owner Paolo de Marche as the passionate head of an iconic estate situated on the Western flank of Chianti Classico.
Exposed to the cooling maritime influences of ocean breezes more so than almost any other producer, Isole e Olena benefits greatly from tempering of the ferocious Tuscan sun as a result, slowing ripening thus allowing beautiful development of fruit without soaring alcohol nor elevated sugars. Its effect on the final wines is clear for all to taste, with a more elegant, fresh and beautifully perfumed character than many of their neighbours.
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Tuscany | 5 | 95 (VN) | HK$1,385.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione De Marchi tasted from magnum, is glorious. Dark cherry, blackberries, melted road tar and licorice are some of the many notes that wrap around the palate in a dark, brooding wine endowed with tons of structure. At the time, 1997 was considered a very warm vintage, and it was, but those conditions are pretty much the norm these days. From magnum, the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon remains a baby. To be sure, the style is ripe and flashy, but it all works. What a wine! |
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Tuscany | 4 | 97 (VN) | HK$9,255.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)There are very few producers in Tuscany who can produce Cabernet Sauvignon that is intensely varietal and also deeply regional. Paolo De Marchi is one of those growers. His 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon exudes tremendous resonance from start to finish. Blackberry jam, cloves, menthol, tar, licorice and grilled herbs all flesh out in this powerful, seductive wine. French oak adds volume and texture, but is also used with a deft hand. I can't wait to taste the 2007 with more bottle age. Today, it is impressively youthful and vibrant. A recent complete vertical back to the inaugural 1985 found the wines all aged with sublime grace. Make no mistake about it, this is one of the great wines of Tuscany and Italy. |
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Tuscany | 4 | 98 (VN) | HK$9,255.00 | |||||
Vinous (98)The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione De Marchi is magnificent. Violets, smoke, plums and cassis jump from the glass in a stunning wine. All I can say is the 2010 is incredible. Just bottled one month ago, the 2010 shows no hard edges, incredibly expressive aromatics and beautifully delineated fruit. The 2010 isn’t a huge wine, but rather one built on exceptional finesse and elegance. It is one of the great wines of what has turned out to be a great Tuscan vintage. |
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Tuscany | 4 | 96 (VN) | HK$1,140.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)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. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (VN) | HK$6,205.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)A regal wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata from Isole e Olena soars out of the glass with tremendous aromatic and palate intensity. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2014 has so much to offer. Once again, De Marchi crafted a Cabernet Sauvignon that exudes character. Today, the 2014 is vivid but also intensely saline and clenched. Another few years in bottle should do the trick. This fruit was brought in during the last week of October and first week of November, quite late, even by the standards of the year. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (VN) | HK$4,380.00 | |||||
Vinous (98)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. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (WI) | HK$3,800.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (97)This 2018 Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon is an opaque velvety color with a very narrow rim. On the nose it is very clear and bright with clearly delineated aromas of cassis and blackcurrant and a gentle, typically Cabernet Franc green-leafy note against a light background of fragrant rose. This wine shows yet another beautiful array of aromas with range and nuance. On the palate there is a lovely texture with plenty of concentration of flavor without being heavy and edged with fine tannins. This wine carries its 15% alcohol seamlessly. Another beautiful wine with gracefulness and charm. |
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Tuscany | 2 | - | HK$4,920.00 | |||||
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Tuscany | 1 | - | HK$8,030.00 | |||||
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (VN) | HK$815.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)The 2012 Cepparello is just as compelling as it has always been. Sweet, ample and generous from the outset, the 2012 shows all of its pedigree, even at this early stage. Radiant fruit and exquisite aromatics make a strong opening statement as the wine fleshes out in the glass. Ample, creamy and super-expressive, the 2012 is shaping up to be a superb Cepparello. The only thing the 2012 needs is time. An up and down year with hot temperatures in July and early August, followed by rain in September forced DeMarchi to be especially selective and bottle only the best lots. Production is down to 30,000 bottles from 36,000 in 2013 and 32,400 in 2011. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (VN) | HK$1,225.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)The 2014 Cepparello bristles with all the energy and tension that make the best wines of this year so compelling. The purity of the flavors is remarkable. Translucent, bright and crystalline, the 2014 has so much to offer. Readers will have to be patient with the 2014. It is a superb wine in the making. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (JS) | HK$930.00 | |||||
James Suckling (96)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. Drink in 2020. |
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Tuscany | 2 | 96 (JS) | HK$5,045.00 | |||||
James Suckling (96)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. Drink in 2020. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97+ (VN) | HK$4,010.00 | |||||
Vinous (97+)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! |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (VN) | HK$3,675.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)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. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (WA) | HK$3,145.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (96)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. Production is 42,000 bottles. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (WI) | HK$4,010.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (100)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.” The first vintage was in 1980 when 100% Sangiovese was not permitted under the Chianti Classico rules. Those rules have since changed but the wine remains an IGT Toscana. It has a supremely enticing nose with cream and exotic spice, reminding me of Arabian spice markets. With the 2019 there is an added precision to the aromas, less heavy oak, and no greenness on 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. It is of course very young now but it’s almost too delicious not to drink! Supremely graceful, it just gets better and better. |
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