97 Points - limited Super-Tuscan Cepparello is one of Italy's most iconic wines and a reflection of Paolo De Marchi's career. Today Cepparello, named after a small seasonal stream among the vineyards, is a selection of the estates best fruit. Soils primarily Galestro, vineyards orientated Southwest and are 400 meters above sea-level. Paolo believes that vintage is part of terrior and wines of origin reflect the vintage. Limited. 97 Points Robert Parker: "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. It is fermented in conical oak casks and later aged 20 months in 95% French and 5% American oak, of which only one-third is new wood. The wine delivers ample structure and contouring, with a firm and silky consistency at its core. This wine should age over the better part of the next 20 years." 97+ Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "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!
Bob McDonald
No. 2 wine at the Downs Club Super Tuscan evening last Friday. From magnum. No detailed notes. 100% Sangiovese. Made in the modern style with Oak showing. Ramon our host and importer said this will give the wine better longevity. Red fruited. Personally would like to see less Oak influence . A combination of French Barriques and large Hungarian Oak Bottis.
No. 2 wine at the Downs Club Super Tuscan evening last Friday. From magnum. No detailed notes. 100% Sangiovese. Made in the modern style with Oak showing. Ramon our host and importer said this will give the wine better longevity. Red fruited. Personally would like to see less Oak influence . A combination of French Barriques and large Hungarian Oak Bottis.
9.0Stephen Osgood
not my style, but a big Parkerized bomb.
not my style, but a big Parkerized bomb.
9.5Ericsson
Nose has lots of tobacco, wood and light red ripe fruit notes. The pallet has some sweet red fruits with a round earthyness and an acidic finish. High alcohol, full bodied, dry, and somewhat tannic. Overall, two thumbs up, it all ties up well on the pallet.
Nose has lots of tobacco, wood and light red ripe fruit notes. The pallet has some sweet red fruits with a round earthyness and an acidic finish. High alcohol, full bodied, dry, and somewhat tannic. Overall, two thumbs up, it all ties up well on the pallet.
9.3Khary Bizzell
Needs time to loosen up
Needs time to loosen up
8.8Stephen Dodson
Opened it and it was pretty closed, but drank it anyway…next time I’m going to leave it for a day to open as the last glass was getting good!
Opened it and it was pretty closed, but drank it anyway…next time I’m going to leave it for a day to open as the last glass was getting good!
9.0Scott Soren
First experience here. Young and slightly tannic. Show huge promise though. Blackberry is dominant. More like a Brunello than a super Tuscan. I will enjoy these as they age.
First experience here. Young and slightly tannic. Show huge promise though. Blackberry is dominant. More like a Brunello than a super Tuscan. I will enjoy these as they age.
9.3Peter Collins
I know I should wait for a few years, but it’s SO good!
I know I should wait for a few years, but it’s SO good!
9.4Jason Gelman
wine 2. big winner! chianti with a lot of complexity and paired EPICALLY with white truffles. gorgeous.
wine 2. big winner! chianti with a lot of complexity and paired EPICALLY with white truffles. gorgeous.
9.1Greg
Always fabulous and maybe a bit of baby killing to drink 2016 in 2020 but when in italy... Dark blackberry, super ripe, black olive and just a beast built to last. Clocks in at 15% on label Revisit after 2024 Good till 2035 or beyond
Always fabulous and maybe a bit of baby killing to drink 2016 in 2020 but when in italy... Dark blackberry, super ripe, black olive and just a beast built to last. Clocks in at 15% on label Revisit after 2024 Good till 2035 or beyond
9.6Ben Christen
Drier, more tannic finish. A nice wine.
Drier, more tannic finish. A nice wine.
9.1WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.