~ Proprietor Paolo di Marchi ~
A couple of years ago, the 2013 version of today’s subject wine was chronicled as part of our Comprehensive Chianti Tasting Report. At the time, I was vastly disappointed with the wine and given the variable and uneven nature of the 2013 vintage, I was inclined to write it off as an isolated miss. In fact, when proclaiming Paolo di Marchi’s notion that he’s a humble farmer who simply shepherds what Mother Nature provides, I remarked that sometimes Mother Nature wins. With the 2014 vintage being what it was, I never tasted Isole’s Chianti Classico from that year. When the 2015 arrived at retail, I decided to revisit. I am disappointed to say that the 2015 isn’t much better than its predecessor. In the throes of such an across the board success as 2015, this speaks volumes. Something is amiss with this wine and at the current price point, it’s an easy and consistent pass until something changes.
~ The Isole e Olena Estate ~
Sourced from vineyards at approximately 400 meters above sea level, Isole’s Chianti Classico is a mostly traditional blend of 80% Sangiovese, 17% Canaiolo and 3% Syrah. Fermented in stainless steel, the wine is then aged in a combination of barrique and large cask for 12 months and then 3-6 months bottle aging follows before release.
The 2015 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico hails from Barberino Val d’Elsa. Perhaps it’s just simply a matter of that? This wine is not sourced from one of the better Chianti Classico Communes. The wine is a pretty but light ruby color that has faint traces of violet through the bowl. You can see right through the wine.
On the nose, the wine displays simple, straight forward aromas of crushed berry with hints of vanilla spice. On the palate, the wine falls flat. The simple flavor profile is centered around tart cranberry and stemmy tannins. The austere nature of the wine is revealed in a slight bitterness on the finish. Medium bodied at best, this is short and monolithic. In short, a simple wine not worthy of much contemplation or consideration. I don’t get it. 82 points. Not recommended. Poor value around $25. Find this wine.
~ Another disappointment from Isole e Olena. Cepparello, which is consistently stellar, seemingly gets all the attention ~
E vero!
John, perhaps you should visit Isole e Olena’s neighbor, Castello della Paneretta. A very under appreciated producer, produces a number of excellent and interesting wines.
Hmmm, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen their wines. Do you know if they are brought into the US and who handles them? I’ll use the Google to start….
sorry, I don’t know if Castello della Paneretta has a US importer. They do a great job of selling there wine direct via email. They are a real favorite or my wife and I. I’m not good with wine-words but we find their wines to be excellent and fun.
Ok, I looked them up. Hard to tell. Nice site. Emailed them.
Thx my friend you just saved me 34$ 🙂
Wow, yeah an easy pass Raph. For $34, I’d load up on the Fontodi.
Sorry to hear about the disappointing wine. Oh well, so many other Italian gems out there to purchase. Cheers John! ????????
Very true Peter, especially in 2015. The 2016s will be pretty darn nice too.
Castello della Paneretta’s sort of online sales and wine tasting coordinator is Barbara Prischi. I’ve always found her to be super helpful and friendly. One interesting element of Paneratta’s wines os that they have a 100% caniolo wine. It’s different, but after we finished one bottle we wished we had a second.
I’ve has one other 100% Canaiolo. Marco Capitoni makes one. I’ll let you know if I here from them.
Hello Steve,
thank you so much for your kindness, I just wrote to John giving him the name of our distributors in US.
BUONE FESTE A TUTTI and CHERRS!!!!
Barbara Prischi
Prego Barbara! My wife and I enjoyed a Castello della Paneretta CC Riserva last week and my wife said ‘that wine was perfect from the appetizer all the way to dessert!’ and she was correct! Your wines are always excellent.
OK, now I’ve really got to get on the stick! Thank you Barbara and thank you Steve.
I was never enthralled with the CC from Isole in the past and would also have other go-to chianti’s. Having said that, really enjoyed their Cab from the 2010 vintage I opened last year and bringing a Ceparello from the 2014 vintage to a party tonight.
Report back on the Cepparello if you will. Not a fan of 2014s in general. His Cabernetis great. And so is his Syrah but I haven’t had that in maybe 10 or more years.