Variety: Sangiovese

It is not enough to say that Isole e Olena is held to the highest regard and winemaker Paolo de Marchi has an unquestionable vision. Fourth generation winemaker Paolo De Marchi studied Agriculture at the University of Turin and worked harvests in California and France before returning to the family estate in 1976. He found much need for improvement and modernization in the Chianti Classico region. Paolo discovered a way to balance tradition with innovation by planting international varieties. Isole e Olena is named for the formation of the two estates that were purchased by the De Marchi family in the 1950s. He's earned a reputation as “Mr. Sangiovese” and also the “Dean of Chianti.” He sold the estate and completed his last vintage for Isole e Olena in 2022 after 50 years.

This is Cepparello, first produced in 1980. It is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest expressions of Sangiovese today. Here’s one description of the complex 2015 Cepparello: “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.”