2019 Isole-e-Olena Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a real achievement, especially in its natural ability to showcase varietal purity and textural importance in equal measure. The wine is fermented in oak and spends some time on the fine lees with frequent stirring. Aromas of poached pear, honey and stone fruit segue to a glossy note of latex or natural rubber that I personally find very attractive. The bouquet shows very light toast with some sweet nuttiness and almond paste. Drying mineral tones add a touch of linearity and extra elegance on the close. This is a 25,000-bottle production.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a real achievement, especially in its natural ability to showcase varietal purity and textural importance in equal measure. The wine is fermented in oak and spends some time on the fine lees with frequent stirring. Aromas of poached pear, honey and stone fruit segue to a glossy note of latex or natural rubber that I personally find very attractive. The bouquet shows very light toast with some sweet nuttiness and almond paste. Drying mineral tones add a touch of linearity and extra elegance on the close. (ML)
The 2019 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a expressive, translucent wine. Apricot, mint, spice, tangerine peel and light tropical notes all race through this ethereal, super-classic Chardonnay. All the elements are nicely balanced. The 2019 offers an intriguing mix of mid-weight structure and a more overt, tropical flavor profile than I expected.
A delicious, rich chardonnay with lots of apple-pie, lemon-curd and praline character on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with layers of fruit and a creamy texture. It shows steely and lemon-meringue undertones at the end. Drink or hold.
About the producer
Situated north of Castellina, on the western side of Chianti Classico, Isole e Olena was created by the De Marchi family in the 1950s and has since become one of the region’s leading names. It is renowned for its top bottling Cepparello, a pure Sangiovese, as well as its brilliant Chardonnay.