Isole e Olena, `Cepparello`
Vintage: 2020
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | IO103B20 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Contact Us |
| 2020 | IO103D20 | 1 x 300 | Natural Cork | Sold Out |
| 2020 | IO103M20 | 6 x 150 | Natural Cork | Contact Us |
| 2020 | IO103S20 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Contact Us |
Producer
Isole e Olena is located in the western part of Chianti Classico, just north of the village of Castellina. Because the western flank of Chianti is open to breezes from the sea, this is a significantly cooler sub-zone, resulting in lighter, more scented and elegant wines.
The estate was founded in the 1950s when Francesco De Marchi combined the neighbouring properties of ‘Isole’ and ‘Olena’, both of which have histories stretching back centuries. In 2022, Isole e Olena was purchased by Christopher Descours, the owner of Charles Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck, Rare Champagne, Château la Verrerie and Biondi-Santi. Christopher and the new estate director, Emanuele Reolon, have a clear vision to build on the De Marchi family’s legacy, on an unrelenting quest for quality and excellence.
The estate covers over 300 hectares, with 250 hectares of forest, 16 hectares of olive groves and 56 hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are at 350 – 450 metres elevation and are planted primarily with Sangiovese (46 hectares), with 6 hectares of Chardonnay and the remaining 4 hectares planted to Trebbiano, Malvasia, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Soils are primarily galestro (a kind of rocky, schistous clay).
The barrel-fermented Chardonnay is outstanding, one of Italy’s best examples of this variety, boasting aromas of rich toasted almonds and butter. The Chianti, a blend of 90% Sangiovese supplemented by Canaiolo, is scented and alluring. The ‘Cepparello’, made solely from Sangiovese, is fragrant with great elegance and balance. The ‘Gran Selezione’, made from low-yielding vines over 50 years old, is aged for two years in French oak barriques, followed by a further three years ageing in bottle before release. It has a core of black cherry fruit complemented by a subtle spiciness and velvety tannins. The Vin Santo, a blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano aged for eleven years in small barrels called ‘caratelli’, is a fine example of traditional Vin Santo with intense aromas of apricot jam, dried figs and candied orange zest.
Vineyards
Cepparello represents Paolo De Marchi 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. Cepparello was first released in 1980 as a selection of the estate best Sangiovese grapes. Today, the wine is still made from the best grapes of the estate. The name “Cepparello” comes from the steam that originates in the highest point of the vineyards on the estate. Vineyards are located on South/South-West facing slopes at an altitude of 400 to 480 metres above sea level, these are between the highest and westernmost vineyards of Chianti Classico, enjoying a cooler climate that gives a unique elegance to the wines. Soil here is primarily galestro, a schistous clay. Vines are 12 to 54 years old and planted with a density of 3,000 (older vineyards) – 7,350/6,500 (new vineyards) with spur-pruned cordon and guyot system.
Vintage
The 2020 season started with a mild, dry winter. Temperatures dropped significantly in March and care was needed in the vineyard to prevent any frost damage to the vines. Summer was dry and mild with the steady conditions lasting until the end of August, when the region encountered bouts of rainfall. However, things had settled by harvest and yields were excellent both in quality and quantity.
Vinification
Harvest was carried out by hand during the second week in October. After crushing, the must fermented on the skins in oak vats for about three weeks at 30-32°C, with délestage and pumping over carried out twice a day to give good colour and soft tannins. The maceration tank was emptied of the fermenting must, the cap was dried out for 4-5 hours and then the must was poured back over the cap. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was racked into barrels. It 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.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
The Cepparello 2020 is intense and bright ruby in colour. On the nose, it 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.
Alcohol (ABV)
15%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isole e Olena | Chardonnay | IO101 | W | Factsheet | |
| Chianti Classico | IO102 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Collezione Privata` Syrah | IO104 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Vin Santo | IO105 | Sw | Factsheet | ||
| `Collezione Privata` Cabernet Sauvignon | IO106 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Chianti Classico Gran Selezione | IO110 | R | Factsheet |