Winemaker Notes
Brancaia Ilatraia Red Blend is a "Super Tuscan" blend named for a hillside at their Brancaia in Maremma estate vineyard. Ilatraia is a fruit-forward and distinctively rich blend that has intense aromas and flavors of black cherry, plum, blueberry and spice. Those flavors are backed by ultra-fine tannins on the full-bodied palate, while subtle notes of coffee and licorice are found on the lingering finish. From Italy, IGT Rosso Toscana Maremma.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of black licorice and blackberry. Blueberry, too. This is so complex. Full body, extremely silky and polished with lovely tannins. Deep and long. It seems powerful and rich yet ends so balanced and refined. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and cabernet franc.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Ilatraia is a drop-dead gorgeous blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Petit Verdot and 20% Cabernet Franc with all fruit coming from Brancaia's Maremma vineyards along the Tuscan coast. This warm vintage has shaped an exuberant and intense red wine that hits the palate with lavish richness. The complex bouquet is composed of dark fruit elements that are contrasted seamlessly against spice, sweet tobacco and campfire ash. Yet the mouthfeel is never too heavy or overextracted. There's a lot to enjoy here.
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Wine Spectator
A beast, featuring plum, black currant, leather and earth flavors locked in a tight grip of tannins. A bit closed now, yet remains balanced and long on the iron-tinged finish. Best from 2022 through 2035.
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Wine Enthusiast
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this wine offers aromas of dark-skinned berry, cedar and cooking spice. The full-bodied palate delivers black currant jam, star anise, clove and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins.
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.