Bitter chocolate and black cherry smells. Deep. Hot rocks. Attacks with plenty of deep fruit and builds wet terracotta tannins. Really long and juicy with fruit sparkle. $39 94 points Tim White, The Australian Financial Review 2008
This wine is a more feminine version of Chianti Classico and for me, true to the 'house style' of Paolo Marchesi. I don't think it is up in the best Chianti Classico for the 2006 vintage but in saying that it is a lovely wine to drink now to the next 5-6 years. Medium red in colour, the nose is a mix of cherries, brambly red berries, earth and undergrowth. The palate is medium bodied and inviting with cherries, undegrowthm rhubarb and spice. Not overly complex at the moment but a Chianti that is there to be enjoyed. 90 points Anthony D'Anna
Black almandine with black reflections and almandine in the rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing does bring out some berry fruit mingled with slight brambles. On the palate it's bright, with rich fresh berry fruit supported by clean sweet tannins, while the underlying acidity is graceful, and flows into a clean smooth finish. Quite promising, and will be worth keeping an eye out for when it is bottled. Kyle Phillips, Italian Wine Review
Paolo di Marchi, widely acknowledged as one of Italy's finest wine makers, manage this famous family-owned wine estate situated in the heart of Chianti Classico. 2003 was a very good vintage in Chianti and that combined with one of the best producers in the region (Isole e Olena is rated as one of the star producers in the influential Gambero Rosso Italian wine guide) has resulted in Chianti of distinction
Any discussion of the wines of Tuscany has to begin with Chianti and especially Chianti Classico, the region's linchpin. The Chianti district is the land between Florence and Siena, Chianti Classico. Non-Classico Chianti covers a far wider and more variable area, about 75 miles (120 km) west to east from the coast to Arezzo, and a similar distance north to south, from Pistoia to south of Montalcino. Most of it falls into one of eight subzones including Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti Montabano, Chianti Colli Aretini and Chianti Rufina. Paolo de Marchi is esteemed as a winemaker of talent and individuality. Self-taught, he has developed a particularly lively, fruit-forward style, allied with great depth and complexity. Clive Cotes
Isole e Olena is comprised of two farms, "Isole" and "Olena," purchased by the De Marchi family in the 1950s. The current manager, Paolo De Marchi (see photo), is the fourth generation of the De Marchi to make wine in Italy (the extended family also makes wine in Piedmonte). Paolo graduated from the University of Torino where he specialized in Oenology, and currently maintains relationships with the Oenology faculties of the Universities of Montpellier, Beaune, Torino, Geisenheim and UC Davis. He is among the most respected winemakers in the world. His early enthusiasm for "extra-Tuscan" grapes in Chianti has been tempered by his respect for the unique characteristics of Tuscany's indigenous Sangiovese. This is a demanding grape, difficult to ripen and requiring extraordinary work in the vineyards to insure high quality. Paolo still produces small amounts of wines from "international varieties," including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay, but his Chianti Classico and Cepparello (100% Sangiovese), are his own, best contribution to Tuscan culture.
