"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."

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"A restrained and toasty chardonnay with aromas of white chocolate, butter, citrus and stone fruit. Full-bodied, it shows density and freshness with a slightly bitter finish, yet it’s balanced overall. Drink or hold."

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"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."

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"Savory and dense on the nose, with salted grapefruit, preserved lemon and mixed wild herbs, and then an indulgent, luxurious palate adds ripe tree fruit and spices. I suspect this will be even better in a few years with some time to relax and integrate—Italian Chardonnay holds so much promise for us. "

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"I admit it, I rarely think of Tuscany as a place for my Chardonnay fix. The remarkable 2022 Isole e Olena Collezione Privata took me by surprise. At first sniff, I thought, "Hmm, pretty interesting!" As I continue to savor it, I realize how significant this experience was going to be. This wine slowly reveals aromatic spices, ripe peach skin, hints of stone fruits, and a hint of creaminess, making it perfect with oven-roasted, savory game hens."

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"Immediate scents of vanilla, toasty oak and butter or butterscotch lead off, while the flavors are more evocative of peach, pear and lemon oil. Elegant and balanced, with the oak remaining discreet as the fruit notes echo on the lingering finish. Drink now through 2028. 180 cases imported."

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"The Isole e Olena 2022 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is full of spirit and character thanks to a vein of spice and cinnamon that folds into nectarine and poached pear. I love the unabashed intensity of this warm vintage. The acidity is present, and the bouquet is singing strong. That medley of ripe fruit and oak spice pushes over the medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and gives the wine long persistence."

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"Super-restrained citrus profile with notes of bitter lemon peel and yellow grapefruit, both enhanced by delicate toastiness. The attack is polished, with a medium body, lifted integrated acidity, a zesty grip at the end and a mellow, hedonistic yet always tense texture. How improved this wine is compared to the past. Drink or hold."

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"The 2022 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is an elegant, super-sleek wine. Hints of apricot, dried flowers, chamomile and hazelnut are framed by a discrete kiss of French oak. Medium in body and refined, the 2022 is quite impressive, especially for the year. This is the first time the Chardonnay was done with blocked malolactic fermentation, an approach that worked especially well in this very dry, warm year."

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"Attractive aromas of walnut, peach pit and vanilla with grilled lemons and sliced quince. Full and textured with a creamy mouthfeel. Structured and complex with nuttiness and mineral undertones to close. Toned and lingering finish."

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"The Isole e Olena 2021 Chardonnay Collezione Privata has a very citrusy side with grapefruit and preserved lemon. Those fresh aromas cede to hints of cinnamon and saffron, but the overall style is reductive in character. This is a medium-bodied white wine that delivers nice richness and salty mineral tones on the close. You get a lot of character with this Tuscan Chardonnay. However, the wine needs time to take on more weight and texture.Verging on creamy, this white features floral, peach, apple and baking spice aromas and flavors. Crisp, persisting on the finish with intensity and length. Drink now through 2027. 200 cases imported."

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"The Isole e Olena 2021 Chardonnay Collezione Privata has a very citrusy side with grapefruit and preserved lemon. Those fresh aromas cede to hints of cinnamon and saffron, but the overall style is reductive in character. This is a medium-bodied white wine that delivers nice richness and salty mineral tones on the close. You get a lot of character with this Tuscan Chardonnay. However, the wine needs time to take on more weight and texture."

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"Brilliant straw. Ripe white fruit with the lift of spicy, savoury oak, hints of oatmeal and cut lemon. Focused and with just a touch of orange blossom. White fruit with just a whisper of oak done in a really hands-off way. Gentle, citrusy white-fruit palate with just a touch of creaminess, but the focus was clearly on maintaining freshness; something that is more and more in demand with increasing global warming. Drinking beautifully, but should become more interesting a couple of years down the line."

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