2001 Isole e Olena~Toscana IGT~Cepparello

2001 Isole e Olena~Toscana IGT~Cepparello
Opened last Sunday for the NFL Championship games and there it was, yet another TCA laced bottle. As subtle as the flaw initially showed, it multiplied with just a short time in the glass overtaking the high quality fruit with vile wet cardboard aromas. Frack! A second bottle was called into the huddle and immediately put to work, this time not fumbling the mission. This is the first time I’ve checked in on 2001 Cheppy since release and much has transformed taking on significant palate weight and richness, yet it remains in an overall sense, middle aged with a generous, promising future. Showing a classic ruby garnet hue with a soft golden halo, this is pure Sangio personified. Fresh aromatics built on a frame of sweet dried raspberry fruit with subtle mineral and anise notes, the mouthfeel shows a decided succulence, round and rich, yet firm on the finish with lush acidity and perfectly ripe, sweet tannin. This really lovely bottle is moving toward peak drinking and showing very well, but still needs a few more years for tertiary elements to full emerge. If you’re holding any there’s no hurry to drink up, but you aren’t likely to be disappointed by drinking one now. Seductive Sangiovese. 94+

Rico,

Thanks for the note. I love Cepparello. I am drinking a 2008 Rocca di Montegrossi CC tonight that while young is singing. I will post a note later.

Byron

Thanks for the note. Any recos on when to drink the 1999 Cepparello?

Not too toasty? I’ve found the wood and fruit out if harmony the 2 times I’ve tasted.

Opened a 1998 Cepparello a week or so ago. Rich with lovely acidity. Still youthful and probably better with a couple more years of age.

Hi Rico,

These really do drink well with age. Lou R. brought one of these to our local Tuscan restaurant a while back, and its complexity and nuance blew me away. I have a few of the 2004 Cepparello stashed away. Wish I had some of the 2001, although I am guessing Lou probably does??

+1

Visited last year and was very impressed by the operation and the gracious Marta De Marchi. Wonderful experience. Absolutely loved the young '07 and didn’t detect any adverse oak interference.

RT