Istine Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Istine 2021

98 points Kerin O'Keefe: "The debut vintage of the 2021 Istine Vigna Istine as a Gran Selezione Radda is drop-dead gorgeous and the best wine I’ve had so far from this dynamic estate. Embodying the class, energy and fragrance of Radda and the precision of the charismatic and talented winemaker Angela Fronti who co-owns the estate with other family members, it opens with heady scents of camphor, Mediterranean scrub, juniper, woodland berry and rosemary. All about elegance and vibrancy, the linear, racy palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, blood orange, cake spice, bitter almond and truffle set against a backbone of tightly wound, refined tannins and firm acidity before closing on saline, almost salty notes. Made with grapes grown up to 550m above sea level, it’s radiant and still youthfully austere, with fantastic aging potential. Fans of beefy, concentrated wines may find it too restrained but lovers of finesse, intensity and complexity will be enchanted. What a beauty. Drink 2026–2046. (Oct 2023)"

97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Istine is laced with hints of lavender, mint, blue/purplish fruit and spice. This offers a striking interplay of Radda energy with a bit more mid-palate richness and overall textural intensity than the Casanova dell’Aia. This is such a vibrant, explosive wine. Drink 2025-2036 (Jul 2024)"