Santa Cristina 2016 Le Maestrelle, IGT Toscana, Antinori

The Antinori family's Santa Cristina estate is located in eastern Tuscany, near the cities of Siena and Cortona. The warm climate here is ideal for international grapes like Syrah and Merlot. Le Maestrelle is a premium quality wine that blends 60% Sangiovese with 20% Merlot and 20% Syrah. The wine is aged in both small oak barrels and stainless steel tanks to give a balance of bright fruit, suppleness and complexity.

The three varietals were fermented separately. Fermentation occurred at no more than 79 degrees F and the must was gently pumped over in the tanks. A portion of the Syrah and Sangiovese grapes were given a cold pre-fermentation maceration on the skins to maximize the extraction of aroma and color. 15% of the wine was aged in oak barrels, while the remaining wine was aged in stainless steel tanks.

In the outstanding 2016 this wine excelled showing ruby red color with purple highlights. The nose is intense and complex with minty notes of Merlot and well integrated with the characteristic red fruit aromas of Sangiovese and Syrah. The palate is balanced, soft and savory, with a complex finish.