Isole e Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2011 - 375 mL -
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 95] [VM 92]

About the Winery:
The name ‘Isole e Olena’ came about in the 1950s when the De Marchi family purchased and combined two adjoining estates, ‘Isole’ and ‘Olena’, each of which dated back hundreds of years. The estate is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region at the midway point between Siena and Florence. Wines are made by fourth-generation winemaker Paolo De Marchi, who studied Agriculture at the University of Turin and worked several harvests in California and France. 

Winemaker Notes:
65% Malvasia del Chianti, 35% Trebbiano

Estate-grown, hand-harvested grapes are dried for 3-5 months before pressing, after which the must is racked into 'caratelli' (small barrels of varying composition) where it ferments and ages for five years before bottling. The wine remains on the 'madre' or starter culture for the entire aging/fermenting period, during which time it is neither racked nor filtered. The resulting wine comprises only 12-15% of the initial yield.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - James Suckling:
"Amber color. Complex and evolved, with notes of apricot jam, celery, dried figs, candied orange zest, nail polish and a hint of rancio. Zesty and lifted acidity balances the dense sweetness, with a full body and a long, super-savory finish of dried apricots. Not an easy wine, strictly for connoisseurs, yet very good. Drinkable now, but it will last for decades." (July 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media
"The 2011 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is the last wine blended by Paolo de Marchi before leaving Isole e Olena. It shows the richness and evolution of a warm year in its slightly forward aromas. Brown sugar, toffee, hazelnut, dried fig and spice open with some coaxing. I would prefer to drink this over the next few years (Drink between 2024-2034)." - Antonio Galloni (Jul 2024)