94 points

2021 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

James Suckling, James Suckling, July 2024

“Super-spicy Chianti fully focused on licorice root, restrained black cherries, fresh violets and meaty notes. It seems to be a serious effort, with graphite flavors allied to firm, chalky and chewy tannins, crisp acidity and a super-polished finish. Drinkable now, but can hold.”

93 points

2021 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

Wilfred Wong, Wilfred Wong, May 2025

“As a young wine professional, I tasted and drank Chianti Classicos because they were readily available, but they were just another wine on a shelf or wine list. Today, these wines remain accessible, but their quality has significantly improved. The 2021 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico is one of the best in this all-important category. This wine reveals savory spices, authentic black olives, and early summer blackberries. It should be ideal with Vietnamese pork kebabs.”

93 points

2021 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana

Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2025

“The 2021 Dolce & Gabbana Trancredi is youthfully coiled, holding its power in reserve. It opens with a hauntingly dark bouquet of mentholated herbs, cocoa, gravel dust and dried black cherries. Elegant in style, it offers silken textures and depths of ripe red and black fruits, which gain tension as saline mineral tones and a bitter dark chocolate saturation amass toward the close. Tannic and staining, the 2021 finishes long and classically dry, leaving a resonance of blackberry and a hint of sage to linger. Currently wrapped up tight and in need of cellaring.”

93 points

2020 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana

Aldo Fiordelli, James Suckling, March 2025

“A complex red with aromas of licorice, black cherries, herbs and cocoa. Firm on the palate, with velvety tannins, a medium body and juicy acidity. Cloves and dark fruit on the pleasantly woody aftertaste. Drink or hold.”

92 points

2022 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, December 2025

“The nose is a bakery in springtime, radiating aromas of freshly brewed coffee, vanilla bean, soil and sweet wild cherry. Strawberries and more cherries lead the way on the palate, before a finish where the coffee note evolves into an espresso corrected with sambuca.”

92 points

2020 Donnafugata Isolano Dolce&Gabbana

Eric Guido, Vinous, September 2023

“The 2020 Isolano Dolce & Gabbana is understated in the glass with an airy blend of young peaches and smoky crushed stone. This washes across the palate with ripe orchard fruits and saline-mineral tones, all propelled by juicy acidity. The 2020 leaves a lingering tension and refinement, with repleting mineral tones and finishing with medium length.”

92 points

2011 Isole e Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC

Antonio Galloni, Vinous, June 2024

“The 2011 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is the last wine blended by Paolo de Marchi before leaving Isole e Olena. It shows the richness and evolution of a warm year in its slightly forward aromas. Brown sugar, toffee, hazelnut, dried fig and spice open with some coaxing. I would prefer to drink this over the next few years”

92 points

2022 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2025

“The 2022 Chianti Classico is an elegant, gracious wine. Silky tannins frame a core of bright red-toned fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange. The Chianti Classico is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. The Syrah, once one of founder Paolo De Marchi's quirky touches with this wine, is gone. The 2022 spent 12 months in cask.”

92 points

2023 Isole e Olena Chardonnay Toscana IGT

Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2025

“The 2023 Chardonnay is laced with hints of apricot, dried flowers, mint, tangerine oil and almond. All of the malolactic fermentation was blocked because of the heat of the year, while time in oak was nine months rather than 12. Soft and understated, the 2023 is quite attractive. It will be interesting to see how it ages in bottle.”

92 points

2022 Donnafugata Sul Vulcano Etna Bianco

Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2025

“Composed of 100% Carricante, the 2022 Etna Bianco Sul Vulcano was aged in equal parts concrete (lined) and barrels. It has lovely fresh notes of pineapples, white peach, citrus oils, and fresh flowers. It has an outstanding, waxy texture reminiscent of Marcona almonds, with a savory profile and medium to full-bodied richness. It exhibits a great deal of savory character, length, and aging potential. In comparison, the Isolano feels more approachable out of the gate and is more floral.”

92 points

2020 Donnafugata Isolano Dolce&Gabbana

James Suckling, James Suckling, August 2023

“Attractive aromas of white stone fruit, citrus blossom, peppermint and stony minerality. Medium-bodied, polished and sleek on the palate with a layered, textural mouthfeel. Delicious fruit. Mineral finish. Drink now.”

92 points

2022 Donnafugata Ben Ryé

James Suckling, James Suckling, March 2025

“A super rich and intense wine with aromas of peaches, dates, pine resin, dried figs, almonds and candied oranges. Full-bodied, it feels oily in the glass and sweet if not caramelized on the palate, with apricot flavors and refreshing acidity that’s not quite enough to balance the sugar. Iodine in the finish. Drink or hold.”

92 points

2023 Isole e Olena Chardonnay Toscana IGT

Stephen Brook, Decanter, May 2025

“This was a good vintage for Chardonnay here, as there were no bruising heat spikes, but low acidity persuaded the estate to block the malolactic fermentation. The nose shows discreet apricot aromas with an underlying touch of oak. The attack is lean and precise, with some nutty oak evident as the wine has only been in bottle for nine months. There's a fine balance, with sufficient acidity to give a long, crisp finish. The silky texture confers finesse on a wine that's elegant rather than explosive.”

92 points

2022 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

Michaela Morris, Decanter, February 2025

“The last vintage crafted by former owner Paolo De Marchi, who sold the estate to French investment group EPI in June 2022. It was blended by Emanuele Reolon, who has assumed the role of technical director. This has a fragrant overture of pepper and raspberry with mint, flint and dried florals joining in. The palate is a colourful mix of sour red cherry and blackcurrant – all very crunchy. Sandy-textured tannins give a decisive backbone and tart, crisp acidity cuts through the density. Graphite and spicy green peppercorn to finish. I’ll be buying a few bottles to revisit over the next five years or so.”

91 points

2021 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2024

“Complex, balanced and supple in texture, this red boasts cherry, strawberry, rose hip, iron and almond aromas and flavors. Refined, with vibrant acidity driving the mouthwatering finish. Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Drink now through 2032. 3,200 cases imported.”

91 points

2023 Donnafugata Sherazade

Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2025

“The 2023 Nero d'Avola Sherazade is dark and floral, grumbling with a moody blend of blackberries, flowers, underbrush and sage. Pleasantly round and nearly creamy in feel, it offers cooling acidity and ripe red and blue fruits that swirl throughout. A zesty tinge of citrus lingers through the long, lavender-infused finish as a gentle coating of fine tannins resonates.”

91 points

2024 Donnafugata Lighea

Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2025

“Exotic from the first tilt of the glass, the 2024 Zibibbo Lighea bursts with a blend of kiwi and tropical melon complemented by minty herbs and a spritz of lime. Zesty and energetic, it offers ripe green melon and spices propelled by juicy acidity, while a subtle tinge of crisp minerality adds a lovely crunch toward the close. The finish is savory, with cheek-puckering tension and citrusy concentration that calls the taster back for more.”

91 points

2022 Donnafugata Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2025

“The 2022 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Floramundi is deeply floral and perfumed, with a core of wild berry fruit complemented by geranium and dusty rose. Inner sweetness is offset by bright cherry and blackberry, while a tinge of sour citrus adds tension toward the close. The finish is gently tannic and classically dry, leaving a resonance of blue and purple florals that linger.”

91 points

2024 Donnafugata Rosa Dolce&Gabbana

Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2025

“The 2024 Rosato Dolce & Gabbana Rosa is more savory than sweet, with an herbal thrust up front that gives way to crushed stone, lime zest and dried strawberry. It is soothingly round and pleasant within, washing across the palate with ripe orchard fruit and a saline mineral tinge. The 2024 finishes zesty and fresh, leaving nuances of candied citrus and an air of sage.”

91 points

2021 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

Antonio Galloni, Vinous, June 2024

“The 2021 Chianti Classico is deceptive in its light color and medium-bodied structure. It possesses notable textural depth and supporting structure. This is such a pretty and expressive wine. Dried herbs, mint, spice and crushed red berry fruit are nicely drawn. Bright acids and floral overtones pull it all together.”