Istine 2018 '550' Toscana Merlot IGT

Istine 2018 '550' Toscana Merlot IGT

Item Number: 15930

UPC: None

Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Sub Region: Chianti Classico
Appellation/AVA: Toscana IGT
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Vigna Istine
Vintage: 2018
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 6
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14.5
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soil Type: Marly limestones (alberese and galestro)
Elevation: 550 m a.s.l.

Vineyard Notes: The grapes are harvested by hand from 0.5ha in Vigna Istine in Radda, planted in 2002 on one of the highest slopes in the Chianti region. The vineyard is very steep and surrounded by a dense oak forest. Merlot is a variety that is normally harvested a couple of weeks before Sangiovese; however in this case, since the vines are located in the highest and northernmost part of the vineyard, it is harvested after Sangiovese. The idea is to capture all of the elegance this grape exudes when grown at high elevation.

Angela's father originally planted the Merlot with the intention of blending it with Sangiovese. Instead, Angel makes an outstanding single variety wine and sells a majority of it out of her winery. This is the first year that we at Cream have been offered a small allocation (11 cases!). Don't sleep on this beautiful Merlot.

Winemaking Notes: The grapes are manually harvested. Alcoholic fermentation lasts around 15 days in concrete tanks at a controlled temperature. Maceration lasts for 30 days. The wine ages for 12 months in 500L tonneaux with minimal intervention.