Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:
Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed
$70.00 $65.00
Isole e Olena was formed in the 1950’s when the DeMarchi family purchased two vineyards in the heart of the Chianti Classico region and combined them into one. Since the 1970’s, Paolo DeMarchi has become a leading winemaker in the region by experimenting to improve the Chianti blends and by making wines from 100% Sangiovese (which he labels Cepparello). The goal is producing complex wines with good aging potential.
In a very hot 2017 vintage in Tuscany, it seems like no winery did better than Isole e Olena’s small but immaculately run operation. Paolo De Marchi is meticulous about wine, approaching it from a scientific point-of-view and trying to do as much research and experimentation as possible. Their flagship Cepparello racked up huge scores from all the big named critics, but don’t sleep on their Private selection Syrah. It’s an enormous, full-bodied beauty that is as big and expressive as anything you’re going to find in any region. It’s still in its infancy in terms of where it’s heading, but it’s a wine you’re going to want to have a few bottles to visit down the road. The problem is about 350 cases are made of this wine total, and only about 100 of those head to the U.S. With the 96/94 point scores from the two biggest critics and the reputation of producing some of Italy’s best wines, I was only able to get 60 bottles and that’s the only bite of the apple. Everybody who gets this one will be very happy.
Out of stock
96 Points- Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Isole e Olena 2017 Syrah is powerful, dense and savory. Readers should not plan on opening a bottle anytime soon. Black cherry, plum, licorice, espresso, chocolate and leather build as this brooding Tuscan Syrah shows off its considerable character. The 2017 is a real powerhouse. Give it a few years in bottle.
94 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Here’s a hot vintage Syrah from the heart of Tuscany. The Isole e Olena 2017 Syrah Collezione Privata opens to dark fruit aromas with toasted spice and charred earth. The wine hints at the heat and dryness of the vintages, but instead of jammy aromas (because there are none of those here), it produces seared or scorched aromas. Indeed, there is a defined note of barbecue smoked or burnt meat that lingers through to the end. The wine is rather tempered and measured in the mouth, with linearity and fine tannic contours. A mere 4,480 bottles were made.
96 Points, Vinous
This is a gorgeous Estate Cabernet blend- richly aromatic with currents, plums, hint of violets and savory notes of cedar. At this young age it is showing all the depth of flavor and textural richness that are hallmarks of Diamond Mountain and Dyer Vineyard. It’s a classic vintage, hitting all the notes that you have come to expect from Dyer and Diamond Mountain. The grapes are grown in our 2.3 acre Diamond Mountain Vineyard in the Napa Valley.
92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
The 2019 Wentworth Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is a beauty. Made with 100% Estate Grown, organically farmed fruit from Wentworth’s noteworthy Anderson Valley vineyard. It’s made from a variety of different clones: Dijon 115, 667 and Pommard 5, that seamlessly blend to make an exciting, full-bodied Pinot. You can taste the extra flair courtesy of the 1/4 wholecluster fermentation. This is fresh and juicy and fantastic to pair with food.
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast – 90 Points, Decanter
Arguably their best quality to price wine is the Chianti Classico. It’s a bold and incredibly expressive Sangiovese that blends together a number of different parcels from around the estate. It’s got a beautiful silky smooth center with bright red fruits and even a tad of rusticity. A wine like this was just made to be enjoyed at the dinner table. With already a 90-point review from both Decanter and Wine Enthusiast, I’m assuming Antonio Galloni and company will come in with similar high praise, but I couldn’t wait around.
Chad’s 2020 McKinley Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is drop dead gorgeous. Those of you who were lucky to catch our sneak preview when we put it in our Gobbler Case can attest. Dark purple to the rim with aromas of black fruits, violets, creme de cassis and a hint of spice. On the palate, full-bodied, round and juicy with elegance and the gorgeous, pure fruit– red and black currants, blackberries and a touch of sweet tobacco.
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