2016 Collezione Privata, Cabernet Sauvignon, Isole e Olena, Tuscany, Italy

2016 was a great vintage for Chianti, and clearly suited Cabernet Sauvignon too. This has sufficient structure to benefit from its two years of ageing in 40% new oak. The firm blackberry-scented nose is still reserved but shows a light toastiness. Rich and fleshy, the palate is more open and opulent, with good underlying acidity and restrained tannins giving some grip and structure. The finish is spicy, complex and long.Drink to 2035Stephen Brook, Decanter.com (April 2021)

Yum. A solid, polished cabernet with blackcurrant, cedar and light walnut aromas and flavors that follow through to a medium to full body and fine, polished tannins that are driven and racy. Tight, refined texture to this. Really poised and crafted.Better after 2023james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (August 2020)

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is among the finest Cabernet Sauvignons in Italy. High altitude sites in Barberino yield a distinctly mid-weight, elegant, savory Cabernet that is all about reserve. Dark plum, espresso, licorice, menthol and sage start to emerge with a bit of air, but the 2016 is a wine that demands cellaring. Over the years, I have had the good fortune to taste every vintage of the Isole e Olena Cabernet. It is one of the great under the radar wines of Tuscany. The 2016 takes its place with the very finest editions.If there is one winery that merits special recognition this year it is without question Isole e Olena. Paolo De Marchi presented a dazzling set of wines, starting with the 2017 Chianti Classico, a terrific example of the how the warm growing season added an extra element of dimension to some wines. Cepparello is so distinguished. What else is new? Today, readers don’t care much about international varieties in Italy. I will freely admit it – I am not a huge fan. But De Marchi has a rare talent in coaxing so much personality from his Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which are fabulous. I don’t think there is another winemaker in Italy who can match his skill across that many different varieties. And then there is the Vin Santo, which is everything Vin Santo can and should be. Don’t miss these wines.Drink 2024 - 2041antonio_galloni, Vinous.com.com (September 2020)

Production is 10,000 bottles and 240 magnums.The Isole e Olena 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata opens nicely to show rich but balanced concentration and generous aromas of dark fruit, plum, exotic spice and fragrant cedar wood. I tasted the wine at two intervals in time, once when the bottle was first opened and a second time the following day from the same bottle. The wine opens generously, showing a fluid and steady evolution of aromas that starts with some tart fruit and forest floor, later to develop into the softer and sensuous flavors I have described above. The tannins are delicately woven into the greater fiber of the wine to offer support without any sharpness. The entire drinking experience is seamless and smooth.Drink 2021 - 2040monica_larner, Wine Advocate (September 2020)