2013 Isole e Olena Cepparello

Opaque dark red black colour with a bright dark red hue. Elevated aromas of dark cherries and blackcurrant laced with dried herbs are followed by vanillin cedar, light tobacco, earth and spice. Moving with an elegant flow across the medium bodied palate there’s an understated richness to the refined black and red currant flavours which are interwoven with subtle fresh herbs, spicy cedar, earth and faint spicy tobacco. Slightly dryish finish with perfectly integrated very finely grained yet structured tannins and a vibrant thread of acidity. Long spicy aftertaste of red and black currant, cedar, subtle fresh herbs and earth. A very polished Cepparello that shows plenty of finesse.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc 14%

Other Reviews….
Hands down beautiful, The 2013 Cepparello is a creation of stunning elegance and balance. A pure expression of Sangiovese, this wine undergoes a sophisticated oak regime that sees ageing in various barrel sizes and barrique of various ages. It lives 18 months of its life in French and 3% American oak before being released. This vintage (that is cooler compared to 2012 and 2011) delivers an exceptionally soft and mellow bouquet with slightly sweet sensations of ripe cherry and fragrant blue flower. Soft tones of spice and cinnamon bring up the rear. The wine is medium to full in terms of body weight, and the finish is driven by cool tones of balsam and menthol herb. The 2013 Cepparello is one of my favorite wines of the vintage. Drink 2017-2035.
97 points
Monica Larner – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

The 2013 Cepparello is superb. Polished, silky nuanced and exceptionally beautiful, the 2013 exudes freshness and energy from start to finish. Succulent red cherry, plum, lavender and rose petal are some of the signatures. Aging in French oak shapes the wine nicely without marking it excessively. The purity of the flavors is striking. This is an especially cool, savory Cepparello built on finesse and persistence rather than power. Rain during harvest robbed the wine of some of its breadth. Otherwise, this is a striking Cepparello. I can't wait to see how it ages. Drink 2021-2038.
96 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous