2018 Cepparello, Isole e Olena, Tuscany, Italy

  • Red
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
  • Sangiovese
Not ready
James Suckling
95/100
Antonio Galloni
94+/100
Stephen Brook
94/100
Monica Larner
96/100
Product: 20181100408
2018 Cepparello, Isole e Olena, Tuscany, Italy

Description

Crunchy red and dark berries give way to sour cherry, menthol and liquorice on the nose. On the palate the berry fruits and menthol notes carry through and mingle with crushed rose petals, wild herbs, and spice that culminate with a smoky finish. Fine grained tannins on the palate provide great structure. The wine has a real elegance to it and I can’t wait to see how it develops.

Drink 2024 - 2040

Tara Field, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2018
Maturity Not ready
Grape List Sangiovese
Body Full Bodied
Producer Isole e Olena

Critics reviews

James Suckling 95/100
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, jamessuckling_com (August 2021)
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (Aug 2021)
Antonio Galloni 94+/100
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.Drink 2026 - 2048antonio_galloni, Vinous.com.com (September 2021)
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (Sep 2021)
Stephen Brook 94/100
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.Drink 2022 - 2040Stephen Brook, Decanter.com (April 2021)
Stephen Brook, Decanter.com (Apr 2021)
Monica Larner 96/100
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.Drink 2022 - 2045monica_larner, Wine Advocate (October 2021)
Monica Larner, RobertParker.com (Oct 2021)

About this wine

Sangiovese

A black grape widely grown in Central Italy and the main component of Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano as well as being the sole permitted grape for the famed Brunello di Montalcino.
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Isole e Olena

The Isole et Olena Estate, run by Paolo de Marchi for 45 years, is a Tuscan property that has seen a dramatic rise in quality over the last few decades. Paolo's family, originally from Piedmont, purchased the estate in the 1960s. His attention to detail in both the vineyard and the winery was the driving force that turned quality around. The estate was purchased by the EPI group recently, who have expertise in Tuscany, also owning the famed Montalcino estate Biondi-Santi.
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