Merlot

Istine 550 Merlot 2018

  • 2018
  • 750ml
  • Red
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Istine
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
92 AVG
Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant for 2 hours before serving.

The Fronti family runs Istine, a high-end organic family vineyard located in Radda-in-Chianti, Tuscany's Classico DOCG area. They started the winery within the last couple of decades, making them part of wine's new generation. Recently their wines shone out in blind taste tests conducted by Wine Spectator, further putting them up on the map in the wine business.

This merlot with a Bordeaux-style edge comes with an exquisite, streamlined expression. The seductive fragrances of iris, scented berries, eucalyptus, as well as vinegar notes, and medicinal herbs greet you as you open this dazzling crimson. Polished tannins and lively acidity provide the structure for this beauty. The coloration is a deep cherry red, with scents of red berries like cherries, blackberries, and blueberries. The flavor is fruity and graceful, with a crisp, earthy, pleasant aftertaste.

The wineries are bordered by a thick oak forest, located on the famous Radda area with skeleton-rich soils and contrasting micaceous limestone at 400 to 600 metres above sea level. The grapes are grown here and are aged in tonneaux for 12 months following fermentation in thermal cement tanks. Preferably, allow at least 15-30 minutes for this handcrafted wine to aerate before serving to get the most out of it. It pairs well with Red Meat Soup, Duck Confit, Vintage Cheese, Roasted and Barbecued Meat, and Florentine Pasta.
Only 3 left
 
Description
Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant for 2 hours before serving.

The Fronti family runs Istine, a high-end organic family vineyard located in Radda-in-Chianti, Tuscany's Classico DOCG area. They started the winery within the last couple of decades, making them part of wine's new generation. Recently their wines shone out in blind taste tests conducted by Wine Spectator, further putting them up on the map in the wine business.

This merlot with a Bordeaux-style edge comes with an exquisite, streamlined expression. The seductive fragrances of iris, scented berries, eucalyptus, as well as vinegar notes, and medicinal herbs greet you as you open this dazzling crimson. Polished tannins and lively acidity provide the structure for this beauty. The coloration is a deep cherry red, with scents of red berries like cherries, blackberries, and blueberries. The flavor is fruity and graceful, with a crisp, earthy, pleasant aftertaste.

The wineries are bordered by a thick oak forest, located on the famous Radda area with skeleton-rich soils and contrasting micaceous limestone at 400 to 600 metres above sea level. The grapes are grown here and are aged in tonneaux for 12 months following fermentation in thermal cement tanks. Preferably, allow at least 15-30 minutes for this handcrafted wine to aerate before serving to get the most out of it. It pairs well with Red Meat Soup, Duck Confit, Vintage Cheese, Roasted and Barbecued Meat, and Florentine Pasta.
  • UPS Express Shipping option available at the checkout
  • Add gift options at the checkout
 
More from this winery
Istine Vigna Cavarchione Chianti Classico 2018
Istine Vigna Cavarchione Chianti Classico 2018
  • 2018
  • Red
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Chianti
Grapes
Sangiovese
Winery
Istine
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
93 AVG
More from this region
Gaja Ca'Marcanda Magari 2020
Gaja Ca'Marcanda Magari 2020
  • 2020
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2020
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Super Tuscan
Grapes
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Winery
Gaja
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
94 AVG
Argiano Rosso di Montalcino 2019
Argiano Rosso di Montalcino 2019
  • 2019
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2019
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Sangiovese
Grapes
Sangiovese
Winery
Argiano
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
92 AVG
Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana 2017
Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana 2017
  • 2017
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2017
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Super Tuscan
Grapes
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese
Winery
Castellare di Castellina
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
94 AVG
Talenti Piero Brunello di Montalcino 2017
Talenti Piero Brunello di Montalcino 2017
  • 2017
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2017
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Brunello
Grapes
Sangiovese
Winery
Talenti
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
97 AVG
Antinori Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2019
Antinori Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2019
  • 2019
  • Red
  • 14%
Vintage
2019
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14%
Varietal
Chianti
Grapes
Sangiovese
Winery
Antinori
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
93 AVG
Cipriana Vigna Scopaio 339 Bolgheri Rosso 2020
Cipriana Vigna Scopaio 339 Bolgheri Rosso 2020
  • 2020
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2020
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery
Cipriana
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
93 AVG
Castello di Volpaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2015
Castello di Volpaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2015
  • 2015
  • White
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2015
Size
375ml
Type
White
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Other White Wine
Grapes
Trebbiano 60%, Malvasia Bianca del Chianti 40%
Winery
Castello di Volpaia
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
93 AVG
Pagliarese Chianti Classico 2017
Pagliarese Chianti Classico 2017
  • 2017
  • Red
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2017
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Chianti
Grapes
Sangiovese
Winery
Felsina
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
92 AVG
Borgo Salcetino Lucarello Chianti Classico Riserva 2017
Borgo Salcetino Lucarello Chianti Classico Riserva 2017
  • 2017
  • Red
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2017
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Chianti
Grapes
Sangiovese
Winery
Livon
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
92 AVG
Pagliarese Chianti Classico  Riserva 2018
Pagliarese Chianti Classico Riserva 2018
  • 2018
  • Red
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Chianti
Grapes
Sangiovese
Winery
Felsina
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
92 AVG
More from this varietal
Michel Rolland Mariflor Merlot 2018
Michel Rolland Mariflor Merlot 2018
  • 2018
  • Red
  • 15%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
15%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Michel Rolland Mariflor
Region
Mendoza
Country
Argentina
93 AVG
Petrolo Galatrona 2017
Petrolo Galatrona 2017
  • 2017
  • Red
  • 14%
Vintage
2017
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Petrolo
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
97 AVG
California Merlot Premium Tasting Case
93 AVG
6 bottles
Red
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2018
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2018
  • 2018
  • Red
  • 14%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Duckhorn
Region
California
Country
United States
92 AVG
Krutzler Merlot 2017
Krutzler Merlot 2017
  • 2017
  • Red
  • 14%
Vintage
2017
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Krutzler
Region
Burgenland
Country
Austria
93 AVG
Roots Run Deep Educated Guess Merlot 2018
Roots Run Deep Educated Guess Merlot 2018
  • 2018
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Roots Run Deep
Region
California
Country
United States
92 AVG
Clos de Gat Har'el Merlot 2020
Clos de Gat Har'el Merlot 2020
  • 2020
  • Red
  • 14%
Vintage
2020
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Clos de Gat
Region
Judean Hills
Country
Israel
92 AVG
Korlat Merlot Boutique 2018
Korlat Merlot Boutique 2018
  • 2018
  • Red
  • 14%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Badel 1862
Region
Dalmatia
Country
Croatia
92 AVG
Rombauer Vineyards Merlot 2017
Rombauer Vineyards Merlot 2017
  • 2017
  • Red
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2017
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Rombauer Vineyards
Region
California
Country
United States
93 AVG
Leonetti Merlot 2018
Leonetti Merlot 2018
  • 2018
  • Red
  • 14.3%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.3%
Varietal
Merlot
Grapes
Merlot
Winery
Leonetti
Region
Washington
Country
United States
95 AVG