A FINE TUSCAN CRU SET TO BE GRAN SELEZIONE
WINE OF THE WEEK
2020 Vigna Casanova dell'Aia Chianti Classico DOCG
ISTINE
Angela Fronti, Istine's winemaker, is part of a new wave of young producers bringing a much-needed energy boost to Chianti Classico. Angela currently makes her Chianti Classico, a riserva, and three cru’s located in Radda and Gaiole. As of the 2021 vintage, all three of these cru vineyards are slated for elevation to Gran Selezione status, making this 2020 vintage an opportune investment as both its aging potential and price are poised to increase from next year.
All of the Istine wines are focused on the purity of fruit backed by round, almost silky tannins. Her three single-vineyard wines are all phenomenal in their own right, showcasing the micro-parcels and the importance of the Tuscan soils of Galestro plus Alberese and rock. One of the crus receiving great reviews is the Vigna Casanova dell'Aia. It was acquired by the family in the 1980s and revitalized in 2014 and 2018, it boasts south-facing vines that bestow abundant red fruits, minerality, and finesse. Only the finest grapes are selected from this vineyard, and the 2020 vintage was aged 12 months in 20/30hl Slavonian oak casks and almost one year of bottle maturation before being released. With an amazing review from Antonio Galloni, the 3,500-bottle limited production of this cru promises an exceptional wine from a vintage of depth and richness. Starting from the next vintage, it will undergo an aging transformation, increasing from 12 months to 30 months, meeting the requirements for labeling as a Grand Selezione.
2020 Istine Vigna Casanova dell'Aia Chianti Classico DOCG 95 pts.
The 2020 Chianti Classico Vigna Casanova dell’Aia shows a dark, richer side of the Sangiovese from Radda. Black cherry, lavender, menthol, licorice, and tobacco all meld together. A wine of presence and real stature, the Casanova dell’Aia is fabulous. All it needs is time to soften a bit. - Antonio Galloni
The Istine Winery
For decades, the Fronti family has honed their expertise in vineyard development and management for esteemed Tuscan wineries, earning their respect in the Chianti region for their exceptional craftsmanship. It was only natural for the younger generation to venture into winemaking using the family's own vineyards. Istine made its debut with the 2009 Chianti Classico, producing fewer than 250 cases sourced from the Istine vineyard—a realization of the family's longstanding aspiration to unify their diverse agricultural pursuits. Their current ambition is to expand as producers while upholding reverence for tradition, endeavoring to showcase the inherent qualities of their elevated Chianti terroir. Their unwavering dedication to quality shines through each bottle, offering Chianti enthusiasts the prospect of discovering a new beloved wine within her collection.
