Istine Chianti Classico Casanova Dell'Aia Gran Selezione 2022

The Casanova dell’Aia vineyard is close to the village of Radda itself and was planted entirely to Sangiovese in 2002. The 2022 is  super-expressive of Radda, redolent of dried herbs, sage, tobacco, mint, and scorched earth. This site clearly handled the rigors of the growing season well: linear in its contours yet full of depth, with bright saline overtones and a concentrated but lingering finish. A standout.

Istine only works with autochthonous varieties, so it's 100% Sangiovese with their Chiantis, and has been certified organic since 2016. The wines are aged the old-fashioned way, in large 20hl botti grandi of neutral oak, after a prolonged skin maceration that can last as long as six weeks.  Production is small - only about 60-70,000 bottles and the family does not envision expanding much.  Their 26 hectares of galestro (rocky schist) and alberese (sandstone) are some of the highest-elevation vineyards around: some 400-600 meters above sea level, which exactly suits their pure, linear aesthetic.