Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesThis is a seriously gorgeous wine, seriously. The Brancaia 2018 Ilatraia is 40% Petit Verdot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, and it impresses from the start, thanks to the wonderful intensity and clarity of its dark fruit, spice and delicately toasted aromas. This full-bodied wine does a terrific job of presenting an Italian or clearly Mediterranean side of the blend with rosemary, dried lavender bud and some of the warm earthy aromas that remind me of walking through a grove of chestnut trees in the fall. This offers a twofold punch of power and elegance.
Fresh and juicy, this red combines density with finesse, offering plum and black cherry flavors that ply the grainy texture, while vibrant acidity keeps this focused and long. Floral, mineral and rosemary accents chime in as this stays persistent. Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now.
Founded by Swiss couple Brigitte and Bruno Widmer in the famed hillsides of Tuscany more than 30 years ago, Brancaia is the modern face of luxury Italian wine. Rooted in the bold Super Tuscan movement that forever changed Italy’s winemaking culture, the wines of Brancaia blend classic Italian grapes with international varieties, bringing a decidedly modern touch to a centuries-old wine region.
Today the winery is still family owned and operated, led by the Widmers’ daughter, winemaker Barbara Widmer. Barbara has excelled at perfecting the style and quality of Brancaia wines by producing elegant, complex wines with a strong Tuscan identity.
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.