Istine Chianti Classico Vigna Istine 2019

95 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "The rocky, Alberese-rich Istine vineyard slopes down in front of the family home at 550 metres above sea level. From here, beyond the surrounding woodlands, you can see the town of Radda to the east and Panzano to the northwest. Of the estate’s three single-vineyard bottlings, Istine takes the longest to come out of its shell. Angela Fronti says that she introduced a new 20hL cask in 2019 and its grainy tannins need time to integrate. The site’s vertical, slender, sinewy character is very much in evidence - as is the fruit purity. Fragrant rosehip and iris meet iron and brushwood, with crunchy cranberry and red currant offering a lovely backdrop. Drinking Window: 2023-2031. (Mar 2022)"

94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Chianti Classico Vigna Istine is stellar. A classic Radda wine the Vigna Istine is all finesse. Deeply pitched aromatics make a strong first impression. Bright red cherry, rose petal, spice, cedar and new leather all meld together in a wine of tremendous beauty and resonance. Silky, pliant, and wonderfuly expressive, the Vigna Istine is a winner from Angela Fronti. Drink: 2024-2043. (Sep 2021)"

94 points Wine Enthusiast: [$45 list] Aromas of underbrush, menthol, leather and spice come to the forefront along with a whiff of hazelnut. Made with organically grown grapes from one of the highest vineyard sites in the denomination, it's elegantly structured, offering cranberry, raspberry, licorice and black tea framed in tightly wound, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. It's still youthfully austere, so give it a few more years. Drink: 2024–2034. (May 2022)"