2021 Brancaia - Toscana Rosso IGT Il Blu (750ml)

Producer

Brancaia was built by the Widmer family across two Tuscan estates, one in Castellina in Chianti and the other in Radda in Chianti. First produced in 1988, Il Blu has grown over more than three decades into the winery's signature bottling, recognized worldwide for its distinctive cobalt blue label and consistent identity vintage after vintage. The wine represents Brancaia's broader philosophy of pairing modern winemaking with careful, hands on farming across its two properties.

Growing and Production

Il Blu is sourced from vineyards planted between 230 and 400 meters above sea level, with loamy soils at Castellina and a more rocky, skeletal profile at Radda, both facing south to southwest. The blend is 80 percent Merlot, with Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon splitting the remainder, fermented at a controlled temperature with up to 18 days of skin contact. The wine then matures for 18 months, mostly in new barriques with the rest in used barrels, followed by a few months in concrete before a full year of bottle aging prior to release.

Tasting Notes

The nose offers currant, violet, and cocoa, with the palate showing great structure and firm, creamy tannins that build into a rich, intense finish of sweet currant and wild berries. Full bodied and polished, this is a wine meant for serious food, pairing well with braised short ribs, roasted game, or aged gouda.