Isole e Olena Wines

Paulo de Marchi of Isole e Olena Winery from Tuscany happened to be in DC on Friday presenting his wines at Arrowine in Arlington.  I was fortunate enough to get to the tasting.  All the wines were outstanding.  They do not come cheap yet you are paying for exceptional quality.  I have tasted  an 2006 Estate Chardonnay, 2006 Chianti, 2006 Syrah, 2005 High End 100% Sangiovese called Caparello and a Nebiolo based wine from the Winery's satellite vineyard in Piedmont.   I am not sure that I would buy $41 Chardonnay yet this is mostly because  I am not a fun of full body, Chardonnay based Whites.  Chianti is excellent.  It is markedly softer comparatively to a traditional style Chianti so purists do not need to apply.  That one will set you back around $25.  Caparello is a superb Sangiovese.  It needs to be cellered for a few years.  It'll get better yet.  This one is $74.  Syrah is interesting and rather unique in flavors.  It taste like a mid-point between Old and New World Syrah: softer than Northern Rhone, less concentrated than Southern Rhone yet way less fruity than Australian Shiraz.  Peidmont Nebiolo tasted exactly as Piedmont Nebiolo is supposed to taste.  I liked it but, yet again, it'll get better with age.  I do not think it is quite ready to drink.  All in all, it is a great producer.  All the wines are well worth trying.