Istine 'Levigne' Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2021
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
2999 Solano Avenue
Ste A
Napa CA 94558
United States
Istine is a small, family-run winery in the heart of Chianti Classico, focusing on producing high-quality wines that express the unique terroir of their estate. Angela Fronti's wines are grown from a group of high-altitude small vineyards
around the town of Radda, and one over the border in Gaiole. Angela is an exciting young winemaker and a trained enologist, with a non-interventionist style and a deep understanding of the region. With a philosophy rooted in organic farming and traditional winemaking practices, Istine has quickly earned a reputation for their meticulously crafted, terroir-driven wines.
From the winery: "Istine’s Riserva, ‘Le Vigne’, is a blend of the best fruit from the different Istine vineyards (‘Le Vigne’ means ‘the vineyards,’). Angela describes this as ‘the perfect synthesis’ of her vineyards; the wine is warm, balsamic, red-fruited, and although not forbiddingly tannic when young, obviously suited to aging in the bottle. This is a genuine Riserva, the best raw materials combined to best express the estate."
- WINEMAKER: Angela Fronti
- FARMING: Certified Organic farming practices with an emphasis on biodiversity, soil health, and sustainable viticulture. No synthetic chemicals are used in the vineyards, and the estate practices a holistic approach to farming.
- VARIETY: 100% Sangiovese
- TERROIR: Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, Istine's vineyards sit at an elevation of 450 meters above sea level, benefiting from a combination of calcareous and clay soils. The region's Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cool nights, allows for slow ripening and the development of rich, balanced flavors in the grapes.
- VINIFICATION: Fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine undergoes a 45-day traditional maceration process to extract color and structure, followed by aging in large oak barrels for 18 months to enhance complexity and integration.
-
AGING: Crus aged separately for 12 months in 20 hL Slavonian oak
barrels, blended, then aged for another 12 in 30 hL barrel, then 12
months in bottle. No fining, filtering or cold stabilization. - TASTING NOTES: The 2021 'Levigne' Chianti Classico Riserva offers a deep, ruby color and an expressive bouquet of red cherries, blackberries, and hints of dried herbs and leather. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The flavors of dark fruits are complemented by subtle notes of tobacco, earthy spice, and a touch of balsamic, leading to a long and satisfying finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: An excellent match for roasted meats like lamb or pork, as well as pasta dishes with rich tomato-based sauces or aged cheeses such as Pecorino.
-
SCORES:
- Vinous – 93 points
- James Suckling – 92 points
Istine is a small, family-run winery in the heart of Chianti Classico, focusing on producing high-quality wines that express the unique terroir of their estate. Angela Fronti's wines are grown from a group of high-altitude small vineyards
around the town of Radda, and one over the border in Gaiole. Angela is an exciting young winemaker and a trained enologist, with a non-interventionist style and a deep understanding of the region. With a philosophy rooted in organic farming and traditional winemaking practices, Istine has quickly earned a reputation for their meticulously crafted, terroir-driven wines.
From the winery: "Istine’s Riserva, ‘Le Vigne’, is a blend of the best fruit from the different Istine vineyards (‘Le Vigne’ means ‘the vineyards,’). Angela describes this as ‘the perfect synthesis’ of her vineyards; the wine is warm, balsamic, red-fruited, and although not forbiddingly tannic when young, obviously suited to aging in the bottle. This is a genuine Riserva, the best raw materials combined to best express the estate."
- WINEMAKER: Angela Fronti
- FARMING: Certified Organic farming practices with an emphasis on biodiversity, soil health, and sustainable viticulture. No synthetic chemicals are used in the vineyards, and the estate practices a holistic approach to farming.
- VARIETY: 100% Sangiovese
- TERROIR: Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, Istine's vineyards sit at an elevation of 450 meters above sea level, benefiting from a combination of calcareous and clay soils. The region's Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cool nights, allows for slow ripening and the development of rich, balanced flavors in the grapes.
- VINIFICATION: Fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine undergoes a 45-day traditional maceration process to extract color and structure, followed by aging in large oak barrels for 18 months to enhance complexity and integration.
-
AGING: Crus aged separately for 12 months in 20 hL Slavonian oak
barrels, blended, then aged for another 12 in 30 hL barrel, then 12
months in bottle. No fining, filtering or cold stabilization. - TASTING NOTES: The 2021 'Levigne' Chianti Classico Riserva offers a deep, ruby color and an expressive bouquet of red cherries, blackberries, and hints of dried herbs and leather. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The flavors of dark fruits are complemented by subtle notes of tobacco, earthy spice, and a touch of balsamic, leading to a long and satisfying finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: An excellent match for roasted meats like lamb or pork, as well as pasta dishes with rich tomato-based sauces or aged cheeses such as Pecorino.
-
SCORES:
- Vinous – 93 points
- James Suckling – 92 points
Istine is a small, family-run winery in the heart of Chianti Classico, focusing on producing high-quality wines that express the unique terroir of their estate. Angela Fronti's wines are grown from a group of high-altitude small vineyards
around the town of Radda, and one over the border in Gaiole. Angela is an exciting young winemaker and a trained enologist, with a non-interventionist style and a deep understanding of the region. With a philosophy rooted in organic farming and traditional winemaking practices, Istine has quickly earned a reputation for their meticulously crafted, terroir-driven wines.
From the winery: "Istine’s Riserva, ‘Le Vigne’, is a blend of the best fruit from the different Istine vineyards (‘Le Vigne’ means ‘the vineyards,’). Angela describes this as ‘the perfect synthesis’ of her vineyards; the wine is warm, balsamic, red-fruited, and although not forbiddingly tannic when young, obviously suited to aging in the bottle. This is a genuine Riserva, the best raw materials combined to best express the estate."
- WINEMAKER: Angela Fronti
- FARMING: Certified Organic farming practices with an emphasis on biodiversity, soil health, and sustainable viticulture. No synthetic chemicals are used in the vineyards, and the estate practices a holistic approach to farming.
- VARIETY: 100% Sangiovese
- TERROIR: Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, Istine's vineyards sit at an elevation of 450 meters above sea level, benefiting from a combination of calcareous and clay soils. The region's Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cool nights, allows for slow ripening and the development of rich, balanced flavors in the grapes.
- VINIFICATION: Fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine undergoes a 45-day traditional maceration process to extract color and structure, followed by aging in large oak barrels for 18 months to enhance complexity and integration.
-
AGING: Crus aged separately for 12 months in 20 hL Slavonian oak
barrels, blended, then aged for another 12 in 30 hL barrel, then 12
months in bottle. No fining, filtering or cold stabilization. - TASTING NOTES: The 2021 'Levigne' Chianti Classico Riserva offers a deep, ruby color and an expressive bouquet of red cherries, blackberries, and hints of dried herbs and leather. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The flavors of dark fruits are complemented by subtle notes of tobacco, earthy spice, and a touch of balsamic, leading to a long and satisfying finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: An excellent match for roasted meats like lamb or pork, as well as pasta dishes with rich tomato-based sauces or aged cheeses such as Pecorino.
-
SCORES:
- Vinous – 93 points
- James Suckling – 92 points
Istine is a small, family-run winery in the heart of Chianti Classico, focusing on producing high-quality wines that express the unique terroir of their estate. Angela Fronti's wines are grown from a group of high-altitude small vineyards
around the town of Radda, and one over the border in Gaiole. Angela is an exciting young winemaker and a trained enologist, with a non-interventionist style and a deep understanding of the region. With a philosophy rooted in organic farming and traditional winemaking practices, Istine has quickly earned a reputation for their meticulously crafted, terroir-driven wines.
From the winery: "Istine’s Riserva, ‘Le Vigne’, is a blend of the best fruit from the different Istine vineyards (‘Le Vigne’ means ‘the vineyards,’). Angela describes this as ‘the perfect synthesis’ of her vineyards; the wine is warm, balsamic, red-fruited, and although not forbiddingly tannic when young, obviously suited to aging in the bottle. This is a genuine Riserva, the best raw materials combined to best express the estate."
- WINEMAKER: Angela Fronti
- FARMING: Certified Organic farming practices with an emphasis on biodiversity, soil health, and sustainable viticulture. No synthetic chemicals are used in the vineyards, and the estate practices a holistic approach to farming.
- VARIETY: 100% Sangiovese
- TERROIR: Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, Istine's vineyards sit at an elevation of 450 meters above sea level, benefiting from a combination of calcareous and clay soils. The region's Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cool nights, allows for slow ripening and the development of rich, balanced flavors in the grapes.
- VINIFICATION: Fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine undergoes a 45-day traditional maceration process to extract color and structure, followed by aging in large oak barrels for 18 months to enhance complexity and integration.
-
AGING: Crus aged separately for 12 months in 20 hL Slavonian oak
barrels, blended, then aged for another 12 in 30 hL barrel, then 12
months in bottle. No fining, filtering or cold stabilization. - TASTING NOTES: The 2021 'Levigne' Chianti Classico Riserva offers a deep, ruby color and an expressive bouquet of red cherries, blackberries, and hints of dried herbs and leather. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The flavors of dark fruits are complemented by subtle notes of tobacco, earthy spice, and a touch of balsamic, leading to a long and satisfying finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: An excellent match for roasted meats like lamb or pork, as well as pasta dishes with rich tomato-based sauces or aged cheeses such as Pecorino.
-
SCORES:
- Vinous – 93 points
- James Suckling – 92 points