Paolo De Marchi is a true innovator and pioneer.

In the late 1970s, just as fellow Chianti legends Sergio Manetti (of Montevertine) and Giovanni Manetti (of Fontodi) were developing their now-legendary Le Pergole Torte and Flaccianello wines, De Marchi was experimenting with his own 100% Sangiovese based Chianti, Cepparello.

Making a wine exclusively from one of Italy's most celebrated grapes seems like a no-brainer today. But back then it was illegal!

In fact, 10-30% of the blend had to be from white grapes. To make the purest Sangiovese expression of their terroir possible, De Marchi et al had to give up the Chianti Classico designation and release their wines as simple table wines.

It is from this terrible irony that the Super Tuscan was born.

Of course, Cepparello is anything but a simple table wine, and the world has known it since it was first released.

This is pure Sangiovese that articulates the great terroirs that make up Isole e Olena.

Today. it's one of the most sought-after Super Tuscans and we're thrilled to have enough wine this vintage to offer it by email.

But De Marchi didn't stop pushing the envelope there. He started to experiment with international varietals. It wasn't long before he confirmed his suspicions -- the celebrated terroir so suited for world-class Sangiovese could also produce gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon.

Galloni has declared it "among the finest Cabernet Sauvignons in all of Italy" and we agree.

This is one of those all-too rare Italian Cabernets that are varietally pure, but also purely Italian. It's a joy.

Paolo's terroir, just north of the village of Castellina on the western edge of Chianti Classico, is sort of perfect. With a diverse mix of limestone, clay-slate, and sandstone soils there's perfect drainage in heavy rain and moisture retention during dry spells.

The expositions are just right and, with the mix of soils, make for complex wines with both stunning fruit and fascinating mineral notes in vintage after vintage. Paolo is an ardent proponent of extreme meticulousness in the vines and minimal intervention in the cellar. When you have terroir and fruit at this level, doing as little as possible seems to be just right.

Isole e Olena did beautifully in both vintages. Critics are falling over themselves for these wines and we expect considerable demand, but we think we were able to secure enough to make sure everyone can get some.

And at today's discounted pricing you can afford to stock up and watch how beautifully they evolve over the next few -- or many -- years. Click the button below to shop online or respond to this email with your requests.