2015 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

97 POINTS

Falstaff

Rich, shimmering ruby colour. Enigmatic nose with hints of smoke, cedar, followed by tons of blackberry and ripe black cherry with a whiff of tobacco in the background. Lining the palate with oodles of vivid and juicy fruit, revealing finely-woven, earthy tannin. Good tension.

97 POINTS

Falstaff

Rich, flint ruby garnet. Opens with light smokey notes, lush cedar, then lots of blackberry and ripe dark cherry, some tobacco in the background. Lush and vivid in attack and progression, showing lots of juicy, vivid fruit, opens with finely meshed, pithy tannin, describes a long arc, good tension.

96 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, essentially a selection of the best barrels of Cepparello, is a gorgeous wine. More than anything, the 2015 is remarkable considering the challenges of a growing season in which rain during harvest created significant challenges. Nevertheless, Paolo De Marchi coaxed all of the potential out of his vines in 2015, adding a good dollop of Petit Verdot to the Sangiovese in crafting the Gran Selezione. Dense, powerful and beautifully textured, with intense underpinnings of saline minerality. The 2015 has a brilliant future, but it won't see the light until fall 2020 at the very earliest.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Lots of ripe fruit in the nose with dried-cheese and spice character. Full-bodied with round, ripe and velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Very flavorful and delicious now.