ISOLE E OLENA Syrah `Collezione De Marchi` 2004 The name Isole e Olena came about in the 1950s when two adjoining estates, Isole and Olena were purchased by the De Marchi family and combined to form one. The history of both estates dates back many hundreds of years, and the earliest documentation of the village of Olena goes as far back as the 12th Century. During the 1950s, the De Marchi family planted new specialised vineyards and expanded the cellars. Today, the Isole e Olena estate is run by Paolo De Marchi, his wife Marta and his sons. Paolo comes from a family with three generations of winemaking experience in the northern part of Piemonte. The first Syrah vines were grafted onto old Canaiolo vines in 1984. The Syrah itself came from the Rhone Valley. Paolo De Marchi‘s intention was originally to use the Syrah in the Chianti Classico blend, together with Sangiovese and Canaiolo. The 1984 Chianti Classico DOCG regulations permitted the addition of 10% of a non traditional grape variety and as a result, many producers used Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. De Marchi was more interested in Syrah, and was so encouraged by the results that in 1987, he planted a new, twohectare vineyard with Syrah clones from France, with increased density of planting. The Syrah was subsequently released as a varietal and also comprises a small part of the Chianti Classico blend. The Syrah grapes are now planted on three hectares of vineyard. The grapes were 100% de-stemmed and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, with ten days maceration on the skins. During fermentation, temperatures reached 26-30°C. Delestage and pumping over took place once a day. Delestage is a method of extraction during fermentation, which gives wines of good colour and soft tannins. The maceration tank was emptied of fermenting must, the cap allowed to dry out for two to three hours and then the must poured back over the cap. The wine spent one year in barrel, of which 25% was new French and American oak. It remained two years in bottle before release. This ripe, but gamey and velvety red is a return to form, confirming De Marchi‘s experimental bent. It is intense and concentrated, with classic pepper and spice aromas, big and rich on the palate with excellent length. Vintage 2004 Grape varieties 100% Syrah Region Barberino Val D.Elsa Winemaker Paolo De Marchi Closure Cork Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £42.49 (Including VAT at 20%)