2016 Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Syrah

Dense black as night core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Perfumed violet top notes are followed by fresh blackberry, dark cherry and liquorice scents which are complimented by peppered meats, earthy graphite and spicy black olive notes. Medium bodied, supremely fine and elegant, the palate is flooded with rich blackberry, fresh plum, dark cherry and liquorice fruits. Elements of scorched earth, dried meats, black olives and blackpepper sit underneath. Finishes with resounding freshness, the tannins smooth yet very structural. Long refined and slightly chewy conclusion with subtle notions of smoky leather making an appearance for added complexity.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews....
I absolutely love this profound and beautiful Syrah from Tuscany. The 2016 Syrah Collezione Privata offers a unique interpretation of the grape that delivers much of the heft, power, smokiness and textural richness of the French grape, however it also shows purely Italian flares of grilled herb, blue flower, moist earth and Toscano cigar. Bold cherry fruit fills the core of this wine, and there is plenty of padding and extra richness at the edges. The wine is rich, velvety and long in terms of mouthfeel. It ages in oak for 18 months. Some 5,000 bottles were made. Drink 2020 - 2040.
96 points
Monica Larner - Wine Advocate (Sep 2019)

The 2016 Syrah is a fascinating contrast to the 2015. The cooler vintage (vis-à-vis) 2015 yielded a perfumed, silky wine that dazzled with finesse. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice. Vivid and finely sculpted, with tremendous nuance, the 2016 has it all. Paolo De Marchi did five vinifications and used a touch of whole clusters in all the lots, which really seems to bring out an extra dimension of aromatic complexity. Drink 2023-2036.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

This screams syrah when you taste it blind, and for all the right reasons — lamb, steak and charcuterie are all there in abundance. Behind that are more herbal nuances, such as blackberry leaf and juniper berries and, of course, blackberries and blackcurrants. On the palate, this toes a fine line between overt ripeness, raw muscle and resounding mineral freshness. Full-bodied and very long and chewy. Even better than the 2015.
96 points
James Suckling