2015 Chianti Classico
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Tasting notes
Tasted from tank just prior to bottling, the 2015 Chianti Classico is very pretty. Surprisingly medium in body, especially for the year, it is a model of total sophistication. It will be interesting to see if the 2015 gains a bit more flesh. Today, it is on the lighter side, even by the estate's historical standards.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Decanter
More reviews and scores
High up in the western commune of Barberino Val D'Elsa, this cooler site allows for a long vegetation cycle, giving less powerful but more finessed wines. Owner Paolo De Marchi tries to harvest as late as possible to ensure that the Sangiovese's tannins are fully ripe. His 2015 is still quite closed, with hints of sage blossom, red plum and cinnamon peeking out. It's not as rich as some of its peers, but there is good fruit concentration to flesh out the tannins, and tangy acidity to stimulate the appetite.
The 2015 Chianti Classico is a bright and convincing wine from Barberino Val d'Elsa, one of the main comuni in the greater Chianti Classico appellation. This is a smooth and silky Sangiovese that glides clean over the palate with strength and intensity. Bright cherry, blueberry and herbal accents with wild sage and rosemary characterize the finish. Like many other wines from the 2015 vintage, there is an evident touch of cherry sweetness on the close. Oct 2017, www.robertparker.com
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.