A Modern Day Benchmark: 2016
Our most trusted Italian wine critic and founder of Vinous, Antonio Galloni, published his report on 2016 Chianti Classico, titled A Modern Day Benchmark. We've been advising you to load up on 2016s and we'll keep it up, especially since we're in wild anticipation of the '16s from one of our favorite Italian wineries, Isole e Olena. 97+ points for the soon-to-be-epic Cepparello, and 92 for their beautifully elegant Chianti Classico.
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97+ points Vinous, Antonio Galloni: "The 2016 Cepparello is dense, dark and also very closed in on itself. Those qualities bode well for the future, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and new leather gradually open up in the glass, but the 2016 is not ready to show all of its cards. This fruit was brought in during the second week of October, which is pretty much optimal at Isole e Olena. The 2016 spent 20 months in French oak, with a bit less than 30% new oak, and a few months in cask prior to bottling. An explosion of floral and spice notes punctuates the super-refined finish. The 2016 is shaping up to be epic. Don't miss it!"
Us: If you love Sangiovese, and for that matter any world class red wine, you owe it to yourself to try Cepparello. It's one of Italy's best wines and honestly, I prefer it to many Brunello.
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92 points Vinous, Antonio Galloni: "The 2016 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous wine that very much captures the essence of the house style. Bright floral and savory notes, sweet red cherry fruit, tobacco and mint are all finely knit in this super-appealing, mid-weight Chianti Classico from Isole e Olena. As always, the Chianti Classico here is lithe, aromatically precise and all about elegance."
We're looking forward to helping you with an order. Thanks for your support!
Marcus and Andy