2016 | Brancaia | Tre Toscana

A dense matrix supports black cherry, iron, earth, tobacco and coffee flavors in this beefy red. Tips toward the tannins in the end, but stays in line.

Producer Information

Brancaia is a Tuscan estate known for its wines both from the Chianti Classico zone and from the Maremma region on the Tuscan coast. It was founded in 1981 and has since become a critically acclaimed producer, known for the high quality of its wines as well as its distinctive modern labels. Three vineyards make up the Brancaia estate: two in Chianti Classico planted mostly to Sangiovese, and one in Maremma (at Grosseto) planted mostly to Bordeaux varieties (with around a quarter planted to Sangiovese). Together, these total around 80 hectares (200 acres). There are two wineries (in Chianti and Maremma), both built over three storeys to allow for gravity-fed processes. Individual varieties and vineyard parcels are vinified separately, and fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled cone-shaped steel tanks with gentle punchdowns. All of the wines are aged in French oak barrels and casks for 12 to 20 months, and are then blended and bottled. Brancaia's flagship wine is Il Blu, an IGT Toscana wine made from vineyards in the heart of Chianti Classico. The wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon, and is aged for 20 months in French barriques before bottling. The top wine from the Maremma vineyard is the Ilatraia, also IGT Toscana but made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The 2012 vintage was included in the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines in 2015 – a feat achieved three times since 2005. The lineup also includes four other red wines: a Chianti Classico Riserva, a Chianti Classico, N°2 or Numero 2 (a Maremma Cabernet Sauvignon) and Tre, a Sangiovese-dominant blend with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot sourced from all Brancaia's vineyards. There is also a merlot-based rosé called "Rosé"; Il Bianco, a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc with Gewürtztraminer, Semillon and Viognier; and Stella, a sparkling (spumante) Chardonnay. The estate was initially established by Swiss couple Bruno and Brigitte Widmer who bought the decaying Brancaia property in Castellina in Chianti (and its four hectares/10 acres of vines) in 1981. Viticulture and winemaking soon follows with the help of the Mazzei family (of Castello di Fonterutoli fame), and in 1986 Brancaia comes out on top of a blind Chianti Classico tasting hosted by Swiss wine magazine Vinum. The iconic estate label design was introduced in 1988 and in 1989 the Widmers added to their holdings by acquiring a 53 hectare (130 acre) site in Radda, a town 15km (nine miles) east of Castellina. In 1994, the winery gains a coveted Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) rating from the Gambero Rosso gourmet guide. In 1998 the Widmers acquire the coastal Maremma estate and begin planting vines on the 82 hectare (200 acre) property. TRE and Ilatraia are launched in 2000 and 2002, respectively.

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