The producer
Isole e Olena. Isole e Olena was created when the de Marchi family, in the 1950s, purchased two adjoining estates, Isole and Olena, and combined them to form one. In 1976, Paolo de Marchi, who’s father created the estate some twenty years earlier, took over the family property, and spend the next three decades replanting and improving the vineyards.
The 45 ha of vineyards are situated, at elevations of 350-450 m above sea level, in the western part of Chianti Classico, just north of the village of Castellina. The western part is much cooler, than the rest of the zone, due to it being open to cooling sea breezes, and thus the grapes tend to ripen later, have better preserved freshness and overall a more fragrant and elegant profile. Isole e Olena’s Chianti Classico is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with a soupcon of Merlot and is matured in second passage oak barriques.
The wine
Isole e Olena’s Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with a soupcon of Merlot which ferments in stainless steel with indigenous yeast and then matures in second use oak barriques, thus allowing for the crunchy depth of cherry fruit and herbs to shine fruit.