Isole e Olena 'Cepparello' Toscana IGT

Toscana IGT, Tuscany

The name Cepparello comes from a stream originating in the highest point of the vineyards on the Isole e Olena estate. Cepparello is the embodiment of the estate’s unwavering dedication to quality, to the land and to the Sangiovese grape. This complex, age-worthy wine was produced for the first time in 1980, becoming one of the first Super Tuscans.

Tasting Notes

Intense bright ruby in color. Complex aromas ranging from floral to wild berries with hints of spice. The palate is characterized by red cherries, earthy with a depth of complex savory acidity and soft tannins.

2020 commenced with a mild, dry winter. Temperatures dropped significantly in March and care was needed in the vineyard to prevent frost damage to the vines. Summer was dry and mild with steady weather conditions until the end of August, when the region saw some bouts of rainfall. However, the weather calmed during September and the 2020 harvest gave excellent results both in terms of quality and quantity.

AGING: Approximately 20 months in barrique (25% new)

Each year, Cepparello is produced with a selection of grapes from the best and oldest estate vineyards, located on the Isole e Olena property in the north-western part of Chianti Classico.

SOIL: Mostly galestro (rocky schist & clay)
ELEVATION: 400–480 meters (1,312–1,574 feet) above sea level
DENSITY:
- Older vineyards: 3,000 vines/hectare (1,215 vines/acre)
- New Vineyards: 6,500–7,350 vines/hectare (2,632–2,976 vines/acre)
EXPOSURE: South, Southwest
VINE AGE: 13–55 years old
TRAINING: Spur-pruned cordon and guyot

VARIETAL: Sangiovese
ALCOHOL: 15%
pH: 3.5
RS: 1g/L
TA: 5.84g/L

The name Cepparello is taken from a stream originating in the highest point of the vineyards on the Isole e Olena estate. Cepparello is the embodiment of the unwavering dedication of Paolo De Marchi to quality, to the land, to Sangiovese, and a testament to his life's work.This Sangiovese was produced for the first time in 1980, becoming one of the first Super Tuscans.

Tasting Notes

Intense and bright ruby in color. On the nose a complex bouquet ranging from floral to wild berries with hints of spice. The palate is characterized by red cherries, earthy with a depth of complex savory acidity and soft tannins.

A mild and relatively dry winter and early spring allowed for regular budding. Some rains during the second half of spring prepared the terrain for a classic summer with little rain and characterized by regular, warm temperatures with very few extreme peaks. Bunches were in excellent health which resulted in a generous yield, both in terms of quality and quantity.

AGING: Approximately 18 months in 225L French barrels (30% new)

Each year, Cepparello is produced with a selection of grapes from the best and oldest estate vineyards, located on the Isole e Olena property in the north-western part of Chianti Classico.

SOIL: Mostly galestro(rocky schist & clay)
ELEVATION: 400–480 meters(1,312–1,574 feet) above sea level
DENSITY:
- Older vineyards: 3,000 vines/hectare (1,215 vines/acre)
- New Vineyards: 6,500–7,350 vines/hectare (2,632–2,976 vines/acre)
EXPOSURE: South, South-West
VINE AGE: 13–55 years old
TRAINING: Spur-pruned cordon and guyot

VARIETAL: Sangiovese
ALCOHOL: 15%
pH: 3.5
RS: 1g/L
TA: 5.51g/L

  • 20231031

    96

    points

    Wine Spectator, October 2023

    "Expressive and sumptuous from the get-go, this red features cherry, strawberry, rose, orange peel, mineral and Tuscan herb aromas and flavors. Sangiovese. Best from 2025 through 2045. 4,800 cases made, 800 cases imported."

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  • 20231031

    #80

    Top 100

    Wine Spectator, October 2023

    "96 points
    Expressive and sumptuous from the get-go, this red features cherry, strawberry, rose, orange peel, mineral and Tuscan herb aromas and flavors. Sangiovese. Best from 2025 through 2045. 4,800 cases made, 800 cases imported."

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  • 2023-05-31

    96

    points

    Wine Advocate, May 2023

    "Supple and smooth, the 2020 Cepparello brings Sangiovese to soaring heights in a manner only Paolo De Marchi can manage. This is his second to last vintage before he would retire and sell this historic estate. The wine opens to medium to full-bodied concentration with dark plum and redcurrant. Those cede to sweet spice, earth, crushed stone, rusty nail and candied orange peel. Give the wine more time to flesh out with cellar age. It registers a powerful 15% alcohol content."

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  • 2023-05-17

    17++

    points

    JancisRobinson.com, May 2023

    "Dark ruby. Enticing, lifted, rich cherry laced with the perfect dose of oak. Polished, full, concentrated and supple on the palate; suave and long, with finely ground tannins woven into the succulent fruit. Quite rich and full-bodied on the finish and clearly a very ambitious wine, but could do with a little more of Sangiovese’s bite. That may come with more age."

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  • 2023-04-08

    94

    points

    James Suckling, April 2023

    "Attractive red and dark berries with dried flowers, nutmeg and cocoa powder. Dried orange peel and wet earth, too. Medium- to full-bodied, toned and steady with fine-grained tannins that are slightly chalky. Polished and even with a lingering finish. Try after 2026."

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  • 2023-01-01

    93

    points

    Decanter, January 2023

    "A long, hot summer with good day and nighttime temperature variations led to an even ripening. Balsamic and medicinal tones introduce a bright, chewy cherry palate with wood and spice notes. Earth and pomegranate touches emerge towards the finish, framed by ripe, grippy tannins and good acidity. Still very youthful, it will improve with age but seems to lack a little bit of the intensity seen in the 2019."

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  • 20230101

    95

    points

    Decanter, January 2023

    "The weather in 2019 was beautiful, with a hot, even summer with no temperature spikes, continuing into September with high variation between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Fragrant potpourri and medicinal aromas are reminiscent of the 2006, while the textured palate features pure, ripe cherry with some damp earth and even an umami hint of mushroom, cut through by bright acidity. Lively and dimensional, it's still in its youthful phase but should be superb once it's had time to grow into itself."

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  • 2023-02-09

    97+

    points

    Wine Advocate, February 2023

    "One of the icon wines of Tuscany, the Isole e Olena 2019 Cepparello is all Sangiovese crafted by the loving hands of a winemaking legend, the great Paolo De Marchi (who finalized the sale of his beloved estate when this wine hit the market). Indeed, this wine opens a discussion on the future of this celebrated IGT Toscana, a wine that followed a strict vision and style under De Marchi. It is elegant and rich with fine aromas of black and purple fruit. It ferments in oak and ages in French barrique for 20 months, with one-third new oak. With 58,000 bottles released, this is a sure candidate for long cellar aging."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – #80 in Top 100, Wine Spectator – Sell Sheet

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – #80 in Top 100, Wine Spectator – Shelftalker

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 96 points – Wine Spectator & Wine Advocate – Sell Sheet

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 96 points – Wine Spectator & Wine Advocate – Shelftalker

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 96 points, Wine Spectator – Sell Sheet

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 96 points, Wine Spectator – Shelftalker

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 94 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 94 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 17++ points, JancisRobinson – Sell Sheet

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 17++ points, JancisRobinson – Shelftalker

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 96 points, Wine Advocate – Sell Sheet

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 96 points, Wine Advocate – Shelftalker

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 93 points, Decanter – Sell Sheet

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 93 points, Decanter – Shelftalker

2019 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 95 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2019 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 95 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

2019 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 97+ points, Wine Advocate – Sell Sheet

2020 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – Vintage Notes

Isole e Olena – Brand Sales Sheet

2019 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – Sales Sheet

2019 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – Vintage Notes

Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – Label

2019 Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – 97 pts, Wine Advocate – Shelftalker

Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ Toscana IGT – Bottle