The Istine vineyard, a high altitude single vineyard at 480-550 meters, was planted by Angela in 2002, on a site that was so rocky and difficult to clear that her brother – in vineyard construction and management business — said he would have bailed on any other customer. We're glad he didn't! The 2022 is the most reticent of these three; even so, it impresses with its notable energy and tension. Succulent Morello cherry, raspberry, blood orange, white pepper and star anise open in the glass. It’s compact and nervy – this site, surrounded by forest on nearly all sides, handled the heat of 2022 well – with lots of personality to unwind. While already tempting, give it time to fully develop.
Istine only works with autochthonous varieties, so it's 100% Sangiovese with their Chiantis, and has been certified organic since 2016. The wines are aged the old-fashioned way, in large 20hl botti grandi of neutral oak, after a prolonged skin maceration that can last as long as six weeks. Production is small - only about 60-70,000 bottles and the family does not envision expanding much. Their 26 hectares of galestro (rocky schist) and alberese (sandstone) are some of the highest-elevation vineyards around: some 400-600 meters above sea level, which exactly suits their pure, linear aesthetic.