Istine Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Casanova dell'Aia 2021

96 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Now a Gran Selezione Radda, the Istine 2021 Casanuova dell’Aia is superb. Made with grapes grown 500m above sea level, vinified spontaneously with native yeasts and aged in large casks, it has great structure and is more restrained than the Vigna Carvachione. It boasts flavors of juicy black cherry, juniper berry and dark spice framed in taut, refined tannins. It’s still young and will benefit with several more years laying down in the cellar. Drink: 2026–2041. (Oct 2023)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Casanova dell'Aia is a picture-perfect example of Radda. Sage, mint, white pepper, crushed rocks, mint and dried herbs give the 2021 its intensely floral/savory/mineral style. Readers will find a Gran Selezione endowed with tons of tension and pure mineral drive. This has really come along since I tasted it last year. Drink: 2025-2036. (Jul 2024)"

94 points Decanter: "Istine’s three single-vineyard Gran Selezione see similar vinification: spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks is followed by submerged cap maceration for approximately 45 days and ageing in Slavonian oak casks. It is the terroir that makes the difference between the three wines. Facing south at 500 metres, Casanova dell’Aia sits on clay-rich limestone marls. It is typically sturdier than its Radda sibling, Vigna Istine, and in 2021 is the most austere of the trio. Cloaked in autumnal scents of chestnut, liquorice root and brushwood it only hints at brighter raspberry and bergamot notes. Nevertheless, this is pure and focussed. Compact chalky tannins and laser-beam vertical acidity exclaim, ‘wait!’ Drinking window 2026-2038 (Feb 2024)"