“To say I was blown away by the Istine wines this year would be a massive understatement… These are among the most thrilling wines I tasted this year.” – Antonio Galloni

High praise indeed from Mr. Galloni, a critic that tastes thousands of bottles a year from the greatest regions and the most renowned wineries. Last year I was only able to grab a handful of these beauties. Drew and I promptly bought them, consumed them, and were instantly in awe. I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the 2019s ever since. This vintage after all is regarded as possibly the greatest harvest of the decade in Tuscany. Yes, potentially even better than the much lauded 2010 and 2016 vintages!  

We have just 6 cases of this one available (admittedly after Drew and I split one).

Istine’s rapid rise to success to due to the pioneering efforts of Angela Fronti, one of Chianti Classico’s rising stars. The Fronti family have been grape growers in Tuscany for over a century, selling fruit to all of the big names. But in 2009 Angela bottled her first wine, just 250 cases under her own label, using her family’s best vineyards. The estate lies between Radda and Castellina and is noted as having some of the highest elevation vineyards in the entire Chianti Classico zone. Farming is all biodynamic and Angela’s focus is single vineyard terroir driven bottlings.

Istine Chianti Classico 2019

Sale $29.99

91+ pts Vinous

This striking Chianti Classico is a blend of fruit from three of Istine’s best vineyards (all incredibly highly rated too), Carvachione (95 pts Vinous), Casanova (95 pts), and Istine (94 pts). Fronti preserves the purity of this exceptional high elevation fruit, utilizing stainless steel and concrete tanks for maceration and fermentation. Then ages in large Slavonian oak casks and barrels (mostly used) for 12 months prior to bottling. The result is a pure vibrant Chianti, with high-toned aromatics and gorgeous red fruits. This is a wine to truly savor, with impeccable purity and balance, and a finish that seems never ending. You can expect this beauty to age gracefully for 15-20 years!

“Mid crimson. Concentrated, complex nose of dark fruit and sweet raspberry with a hint of iron and damp earth. Succulent cherry fruit lined with grainy tannins and a final kick of acidity on the finish.” – Jancis Robinson

“The 2019 Chianti Classico is a classy, polished wine that needs time to fully come into its own, as the aromatics are not at all expressive, and that is such a big part of what makes Chianti Classico so distinctive. Today, the wine's energy and vibrancy are both notable, but it is clearly very early days for this bottling.” – Antonio Galloni
 

Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Saturday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.