Istine 550 Merlot 2018

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.