2011 Isole e Olena Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione de Privata
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Tasting notes
Deep crimson. Attractively dusty cassis. Gorgeously intense and pure black fruit with a fine harmony between fruit, tannins and freshness. Dark and savoury on the finish, with supremely restrained purity and intensity of fruit still showing after five years. (JH)
Critic scores
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is amplified with tiny percentages of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot for extra richness and intensity. This formula works beautifully and the wine opens to an immaculate bouquet that is as rich as it is penetrating. Dark currant, blackberry, chocolate, spice, cola and grilled herb are presented at high volume. This wine is exceedingly soft and velvety in texture, with extra long persistency and a super rich, creamy personality. It should easily hold ten years or longer.
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata is superb. Black cherry jam, crème de cassis, smoke, plums, menthol, licorice and violets form a stunning backdrop as the 2011 opens up in the glass. Sumptuous and layered yet also quite fresh (especially for the year), the 2011 possesses superb balance and exceptional finesse. The intensity of the fruit nearly buries the tannins, but they are there. My impression is that the 2011 will offer a long and wide window of pure drinking pleasure.
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.