Isole e OlenaCabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata 2018

Lots of blackcurrants and currant bush with some graphite and black ink on the nose. Full-bodied with a chewy and polished tannin backbone and lots of blue fruit and stones in the finish. Sandalwood and violets, too. Great structure at the end. Give this time to soften. Try after 2025, but will age for a long time.

This 2018 Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon is an opaque velvety color with a very narrow rim. On the nose it is very clear and bright with clearly delineated aromas of cassis and blackcurrant and a gentle, typically Cabernet Franc green-leafy note against a light background of fragrant rose. This wine shows yet another beautiful array of aromas with range and nuance. On the palate there is a lovely texture with plenty of concentration of flavor without being heavy and edged with fine tannins. This wine carries its 15% alcohol seamlessly. Another beautiful wine with gracefulness and charm.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata is another stellar wine in this range from Isole e Olena and Paolo De Marchi. Still pretty tightly wound, the 2018 is going to need at least a few years to fully unwind. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, mocha and espresso are some of the many aromas and flavors that start to open with a bit of aeration. The Isole Cabernet has a brilliant track record of aging. I expect the 2018 will one day take its place among the very finest editions.

The Isole e Olena 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata is actually mostly Cabernet Sauvignon tweaked with small percentages of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot (with 5,000 bottles released). These other varieties serve to flesh out the wine and tighten the bouquet. It boasts luscious dark concentration with black fruit, grilled herb, crushed stone and sweet crème de cassis. Those bold flavors are followed by a 15% alcohol content (a sign of the times with ongoing climate change) that is gracefully integrated here. This is another long-term proposition for your cellar.