2022 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana, Tuscany

Restrained at the first sniff, this vintage shines with smoky and straw aromas, together with intense violets, bright red cherries and cherry stones. Cedar wood in depth. Full-bodied and extracted, yet full of fruit sweetness, displaying velvety tannins and crisp integrated acidity which enhances and lengthens the cherry flavor. Super polished finish which is not always the case in this vintage. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

97 points James Suckling

Cepparello is one of the great icons of Tuscany and a wine that helped redefine what Sangiovese could achieve. First produced in 1980 by the visionary Paolo De Marchi, it became one of the original Super Tuscans, proving that a single vineyard expression of Sangiovese could rival Italy's greatest wines. Today, under the ownership of the EPI Group, Isole e Olena remains one of Tuscany's most revered estates, with the winemaking team continuing the pursuit of elegance, purity and site expression that made Cepparello famous.

The vineyards lie in the rolling hills of Chianti Classico, where high elevations, galestro and limestone rich soils, and significant day to night temperature variations create ideal conditions for Sangiovese. Cepparello is produced only from the estate's finest parcels, with rigorous selection ensuring exceptional fruit quality. Fermentation and extended maturation in French oak help shape a wine that combines concentration and power with remarkable finesse and longevity.

Deep ruby red with vibrant crimson highlights, the wine opens with captivating aromas of black cherry, wild raspberry and red plum layered with violet, rose petal and subtle notes of cedar, tobacco and sweet spice. The palate is beautifully structured and incredibly refined, delivering intense flavours of dark cherry, blackberry and blood orange alongside earthy undertones and mineral complexity. Fine grained tannins provide impressive architecture while vibrant acidity keeps the wine fresh, energetic and perfectly balanced. The finish is exceptionally long, unfolding with notes of spice, dried herbs and savoury Tuscan character.

This is a magnificent companion for bistecca alla Fiorentina, slow braised lamb shoulder, wild boar ragù, truffle infused mushroom dishes or aged Pecorino Toscano. Although already displaying extraordinary harmony, the wine has the pedigree to evolve for two decades or more, rewarding patience with even greater complexity and nuance.