Producer Estate-grown, hand-harvested grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with approximately 15 days maceration. During fermentation, delestage and pumping-over takes place twice a day. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked into barrels and 4,000 liter casks where it matures for about one year. "In the 1950s, the father of current winemaker Paolo de Marchi purchased the adjoining hamlets of Isole and Olena and their estates in the Tuscan commune of Barberino Val d'Elsa. Paolo entered the business in 1976 and the quality of the estates wines improved rapidly after decades of sharecropping. Di Marchi is one of the regions kings of the Sangiovese grape, at a time when Chianti was a blended wine it was he that stepped out to produce wines that were 100% Sangiovese." - Negociants Tasting Note "While Isole e Olena was able to avoid frost damage in 2017, owner Paolo de Marchi estimates losing 40% of production due to drought conditions. He always picks as late as possible and vinifies gently to avoid rustic, green tannins. Aromas are restrained hinting at black currant, sage and spice with an undertow of espresso. On the palate there is a sumptuousness yet no lack of acidity and smart sophisticated tannin shore in ripe, generous fruit." - Decanter
