2020 Cepparello, Isole e Olena, Tuscany, Italy

Dark ruby. Enticing, lifted, rich cherry laced with the perfect dose of oak. Polished, full, concentrated and supple on the palate; suave and long, with finely ground tannins woven into the succulent fruit. Quite rich and full-bodied on the finish and clearly a very ambitious wine, but could do with a little more of Sangiovese’s bite. That may come with more age.

Drink 2025 - 2034

A long, hot summer with good day and nighttime temperature variations led to an even ripening. Balsamic and medicinal tones introduce a bright, chewy cherry palate with wood and spice notes. Earth and pomegranate touches emerge towards the finish, framed by ripe, grippy tannins and good acidity. Still very youthful, it will improve with age but seems to lack a little bit of the intensity seen in the 2019.

Drink 2024 - 2052

Attractive red and dark berries with dried flowers, nutmeg and cocoa powder. Dried orange peel and wet earth, too. Medium- to full-bodied, toned and steady with fine-grained tannins that are slightly chalky. Polished and even with a lingering finish. 

Try after 2026

Supple and smooth, the 2020 Cepparello brings Sangiovese to soaring heights in a manner only Paolo De Marchi can manage. This is his second to last vintage before he would retire and sell this historic estate. The wine opens to medium to full-bodied concentration with dark plum and redcurrant. Those cede to sweet spice, earth, crushed stone, rusty nail and candied orange peel. Give the wine more time to flesh out with cellar age. It registers a powerful 15% alcohol content.

Drink 2024 - 2045

The 2020 Cepparello is dense, powerful and soaring in intensity. A dark, almost somber Cepparello, the 2020 possesses remarkable depth from start to finish. Black cherry, plum, gravel, dried herbs and lavender build in a vivid, stunningly beautiful Cepparello that hits all the right notes.

Drink 2028 - 2045