Cabernet Sauvignon IGT Collezione Privata 2017 Isole e Olena

The Isole e Olena 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata delivers a lot of extra intensity and concentration, both pushed to extremes in this very hot and dry vintage that produced small, tight and thickly skinned clusters. Unfortunately, the tannins are also more aggressive and they work against the wine's overall balance. Those tannins will soften to a degree with bottle age, but it's hard to imagine that they will ever fully integrate. The exact blend in 2017 is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Production is also smaller this vintage with 5,000 bottles released.

Aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, mint and sage follow through to a full-bodied palate with plenty of tannins that are polished and tense. Hazelnuts at the end. Give this time to come together. Fresh and balanced for the hot vintage. Try after 2024.

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata is another fabulous wine from Paolo De Marchi. Readers will have to be patient with the 2017, as it is a very young wine. History has taught me the Cabernet here ages exquisitely, but it needs time. I expect that will be the case here as well. Opening a bottle anytime soon is likely to be a mostly academic exercise.