Brancaia "Il Blu" Rosso Toscana IGT Tuscany, Italy
Introduction:
The 2020 Brancaia “Il Blu” is the flagship Tuscan red from Brancaia, crafted for power, elegance, and long aging. It’s a dramatic blend that brings together bold fruit, refined structure, and polished oak integration.
Terroir:
Sourced from estates in Castellina in Chianti and Radda in Chianti at elevations of 230-400 m a.s.l. Soils vary: loamy in Castellina and medium-textured with rocky skeleton in Radda. The vineyards benefit from south- to southwest exposures, allowing excellent sun while retaining freshness.
Appearance:
Deep garnet red with an opaque core and slight ruby edging.
Nose:
Aromas of black currant, violet, and dark plum mingle with notes of cocoa, espresso bean, and subtle spice. With air, touches of leather, clove, and forest floor emerge.
Palate:
Full-bodied and structured. The fruit is dense and incisive—blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry—framed by firm yet creamy tannins. Oak-derived notes of dark chocolate, toast, and cedar support but do not dominate. The wine remains balanced by fresh acidity and a mineral thread.
Finish:
Long and persistent. Dark berry and spice linger, with hints of tobacco, graphite, and saline minerality. The grip remains firm yet polished, leaving a clean, resonant echo.
Food Pairing Suggestions:
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Meat dish: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, grilled ribeye, or wild boar ragu
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Vegetarian option: Eggplant parmesan or mushroom & truffle risotto
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Cheese pairing: Aged Pecorino Toscano or mature Parmigiano-Reggiano
Overall Impression:
The 2020 Il Blu is a commanding and expressive Tuscan blend—rich, layered, and impeccably built. It combines dense fruit, elegant oak, and structural integrity into a wine of depth and longevity. It’s drinking well now with decanting but will reward careful cellaring for 15–20 years.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14.5%
Farming Practices: Organic / biodynamic-leaning (Brancaia practices biological / organic methods)
Producer Name: Brancaia
Old World / New World: New World sensibilities in a traditional Italian setting
Country of Origin: Italy
Region: Toscana IGT, Tuscany
Grape Varietals: 80% Merlot, 10% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2020
Wine Style: Dry red; powerful yet elegant “Super-Tuscan” blend
Winemaking Techniques: Each variety fermented and aged separately; ~18 months in barriques (2/3 new, 1/3 used), followed by 3 months in concrete, then 12 months bottle aging
Pack Size: 750 mL
Container Style: Standard Bordeaux/Tuscan glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork
Check out the press!
96 Points, James Suckling:
"Attractive blueberries, brambles, and cherries with spiced orange peel and lilac blossom, as well as some smoky dark spices and cocoa. Full, concentrated, and very tense, with tightly packed but very polished and fine tannins. Shows a succulence and vibrancy to the fruit with a mineral, slightly chalky finish. A blend of merlot, sangiovese, and cabernet sauvignon. From organically grown grapes. Try now, but better after 2025." (June 2023)
"Attractive blueberries, brambles, and cherries with spiced orange peel and lilac blossom, as well as some smoky dark spices and cocoa. Full, concentrated, and very tense, with tightly packed but very polished and fine tannins. Shows a succulence and vibrancy to the fruit with a mineral, slightly chalky finish. A blend of merlot, sangiovese, and cabernet sauvignon. From organically grown grapes. Try now, but better after 2025." (June 2023)
95 Points, Vinous:
"The 2020 "II Blu" is superb. Dark and mysterious at first, "Il Blu" offers up an exotic mélange of blue fruits, mocha, new leather, licorice, and lavender. Bright acids play off some of the more overleanings beautifully. "Il Blu" has long been one of the most distinctive wines in Chianti Classico. The 2020 is another fine edition of "Il Blu", a wine I have followed since the 1990s." (August 2023)
95 Points, Wine Spectator:
"Shows a resinous note from the oak that envelops ripe black cherry, plum, leather, mineral, and tobacco flavors. This red keeps building in intensity and fruit on the palate, ending with a succulent, fruit- and spice-infused aftertaste. Merlot, sangiovese, and cabernet sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. (October 2023)
94 Points, Wine Advocate:
"This is an organic blend of 80% merlot, 10% sangiovese, and 10% cabernet sauvignon that enjoys near iconic status here in Tuscany.
Thanks to its long track record, you can count on this Tuscan blended red to deliver top quality. The Brancaia 2020 II Blu is a full-bodied red with sweet fruit flavors and a rich, velvety texture." (September 2023)
Order the 2020 Brancaia "Il Blu" Rosso Toscana IGT now through Monday, October 13th, at Noon. Orders will be ready for pickup on Wednesday, October 15th, after 5 PM.
ABV: 14.5%
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