Istine, Chianti Classico Riserva Le Vigne, 2020

Istine's Riserva is a blend drawn from the best fruit across the estate's high-altitude Radda vineyards, which is exactly what 'Levigne' ("the vineyards") refers to. Angela Fronti makes all her reds from 100% Sangiovese, the traditional way: long maceration followed by aging in big, neutral botti that let the elegant, aromatic character of Radda's hillside fruit come through without oak getting in the way. Fronti's wines are some of the finest examples of the artisan vigneron spirit in Chianti Classico, and the Riserva is a step up in depth and structure from the annata. The 2020 came from a warm but well-balanced Tuscan growing season, and it shows as a Riserva with ripe fruit framed by Radda's signature freshness and grip. Built to drink well now and reward several years in the cellar.