2019 Brancaia Ilatraia
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The Brancaia 2019 Ilatraia is an organic blend of 40% Petit Verdot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc aged in French barrique for 18 months, half of which is new oak. This is a generous and deeply layered expression with dark fruit, baker's chocolate and elegant spice. I tasted this wine next to the 2018 vintage, which clearly showed more balance given that extra year of aging. Based on that observation, I suggest an extended drinking window for this wine. The 2019 shows lots of primary fruit brightness and concentration. Production is 40,000 bottles.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Another impressive wine from Brancaia, the 2019 Ilatraia is produced from 40% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc from the Maremma. It is potent with black fruit, menthol, sage, and just a hint of rusticity lurking underneath with a note of saddle leather. Meaty and full up-front, it tapers slightly with a pleasant hit of acidity, warming spice, and tannins that continue through the back. It is tightly wound and will continue improve over the following 15 or so years. Drink 2025-2040. The Super Tuscans from this Chianti-based estate are not to be missed. Il Blu is the top of the range, produced since 1988 from hand-selected grapes from the best two vineyard sites in Chianti. With particular attention paid to sustainability, they practice organic viticulture and reduced bottle weight to counter CO2 emissions.
The 2019 Ilatraia, Brancaia's top Maremma wine, is racy and voluptuous out of the gate. A whole range of savory and spice overtones wraps around the inky blue/blackish fruit. This heady blend is so expressive today. Blackberry, espresso, licorice and leather build into the sumptuous finish.