Isole e Olena Cepparello 2021

Isole e Olena Cepparello 2021 is one of Tuscany’s benchmark 100% Sangiovese wines, a polished and deeply expressive ‘Super Tuscan’ that rivals top Chianti Classico and Brunello in finesse. In this youthful 2021 vintage, Cepparello combines striking purity of fruit with structure and complexity, making it both immediately captivating and clearly built for aging. First released in the 1980s, Cepparello helped redefine Tuscan Sangiovese and remains a reference point for serious collectors and Italian wine lovers alike.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Cepparello shows a beautiful, vibrant ruby red color with purple hues and a visible concentration that clings to the sides of the glass. The nose is broad, deep and aristocratic, layered with violets and rose petals, ripe red and black cherries, blackberry and raspberry, wrapped in sweet spices, subtle vanilla, a touch of coffee, eucalyptus, wild berries and a refined graphite minerality. On the palate, those aromas translate with remarkable precision into flavor: vivid cherry and wild berry fruit, hints of dark plum and blackberry, followed by spice, tobacco, cocoa and a cool, fresh herbal lift. The texture is refined yet firm, with polished tannins and a vibrant acidity that gives the wine energy and length. The finish is intensely red-fruited, very long and persistently elegant, leaving a sensation of both richness and poise. Still youthful, the 2021 has excellent aging potential and will evolve beautifully over 12–20 years, gaining even more complexity, silkiness and tertiary notes of leather, truffle and dried flowers.

Production
Cepparello is sourced from Isole e Olena’s prime hillside vineyards in the heart of Tuscany, where Sangiovese thrives on well-drained, rocky soils rich in galestro and alberese limestone. The combination of warm days, cool nights and good altitude ensures slow, even ripening and a balance of ripe fruit and fresh acidity. Grapes are carefully hand-harvested at optimal maturity, with strict selection both in the vineyard and at the sorting table to ensure only the best bunches go into Cepparello. Vinification typically involves temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel, followed by extended maceration to extract color, aroma and fine tannins. The wine is then aged in high-quality oak barrels (a mix of new and used barriques) for around 18–20 months, allowing the Sangiovese to gain complexity and structure without losing its purity and elegance, before further bottle aging prior to release.

Food & Serving
Cepparello 2021 is an outstanding match for classic Tuscan cuisine: bistecca alla fiorentina, roasted lamb, slow-braised beef, game birds and rich ragu over pappardelle or tagliatelle. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano, as well as dishes with earthy components like mushrooms or truffles. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Bordeaux-style glasses to let the aromas fully open. For this young vintage, decanting for 1–2 hours is highly recommended to soften the tannins and reveal the wine’s full aromatic complexity.

Producer
Isole e Olena is one of Tuscany’s most respected estates, located in the rolling hills of the Chianti Classico area between Florence and Siena. Under the visionary guidance of Paolo De Marchi, the estate became a pioneer in elevating Sangiovese to world-class status, with Cepparello as its flagship wine. Since its first vintage in 1980, Cepparello has been regarded as a defining ‘Super Tuscan’, challenging traditional classifications and showcasing the potential of pure Sangiovese from top terroir. Isole e Olena’s meticulous vineyard work, low yields and thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking have earned the winery a place among Italy’s elite producers, with Cepparello consistently receiving top scores and a devoted following among collectors and sommeliers worldwide.