Istine Chianti Classico 2015

Istine's entry-level Chianti Classico comes from high-altitude parcels in Radda in Chianti, with fruit drawn from the Istine vineyard situated between Radda and Castellina. The Istine vineyard sits at 480 to 550 meters above sea level on soils of Alberese and Galestro — fragmented marly limestones with a slight presence of quartz — planted at 5,000 vines per hectare in 2002, with a north-west exposure. This is among the highest-elevation vineyard sites in the entire Chianti Classico zone.

Winemaker Angela Fronti ferments in stainless steel tanks and ages the wine for 8 months in large 10-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels, which impart no perceptible oak flavor. The approach keeps the fruit precise and the acidity intact. Production is tightly limited: approximately 3,000 bottles were made from the 2015 vintage.

The estate converted from conventional farming to organic methods starting in 2009 when Angela took over, achieving full organic certification in 2016. The 2015 vintage therefore reflects transitional organic farming. The Fronti family has been working this land since 1982 and bottling under the Istine label since 2009.

On the palate, the 2015 shows balsamic notes of camphor, dried herb, and blue flower alongside Marasca cherry, black raspberry, and white pepper, with lithe tannins and firm acidity characteristic of Radda's cooler, high-altitude growing conditions.