2014 Isole e Olena, Cepparello, IGT

The 2014 Cepparello is one of the truly great wines of the vintage. Vivid and intense in all of its dimensions, it exudes purity from start to finish. Silky tannins, expressive aromatics and beautifully delineated, bright, layered Sangiovese fruit are some of the signatures. In 2014, Paolo De Marchi produced an epic Cepparello for the ages. Don't miss it.

Here is another big surprise from an underdog vintage. The 2014 Cepparello had recently been bottled when I preview tasted it, but it is far from its release date. Paolo De Marchi sold off any finished wine that did not live up to his standards and picked the very best results for this edition. Production this vintage is down by almost a quarter. This is a beauty. It flaunts a deep, dark appearance with succulent fruit, savory spice, leather and grilled herb. The oak element needs additional time to integrate and it surely will as the wine continues its slow bottle evolution. Only a third of the blend is aged in new oak. This upcoming Cepparello is a wine of substance and distinction.

100% Sangiovese. Dark garnet. Initial impression is sweet oak spice but with air the tangy fruit emerges. On the palate too there is plenty of oak sweetness and a touch of chocolate. Underneath there is fresh and lively fruit that still needs time – for my palate – to shed the oak sweetness. Fresh but with a milk-chocolate aftertaste. Smooth and rounded and deep. (JH)