Ilatraia Brancaia 2020

Ilatraia, produced by Cantina Brancaia, is a red wine with good structure and intensity, aged in barriques for 18 months. It is a modern wine with a distinctly international profile and clear Bordeaux inspiration. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc grapes are grown on the Maremma estate of Brancaia, in the province of Grosseto. In this particular area, thanks to the typically warm and sunny Mediterranean climate and the gentle breezes of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the French vines ripen perfectly, achieving a great aromatic richness. It is precisely this special territorial connotation that gives Ilatraia a persuasive profile that makes it particularly harmonious and seductive.

Ilatraia red comes from the estate located on the rolling hills of the Maremma in the Grosseto area, at an altitude between 75 and 175 meters above sea level, with western and southwestern exposure. The vines are planted in the spurred cordon, with a density of 5,680 vines per hectare, and are rooted in low fertility, stone-rich soils consisting of sand, silt and clay. It is a classic Bordeaux blend composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Petit Verdot (40%) and Cabernet Franc (20%). Respecting the different ripening times of the grapes, the three varieties are harvested and then vinified separately, with fermentations involving skin contact of about 25 days. Maturation in French oak barriques, half new and half already used, takes about 18 months. After blending and bottling, the wine is aged for another 12 months before release.

Brancaia Ilatraia wine represents the synthesis of the historical tradition of the great reds of Bordeaux and the terroir of the Tuscan Maremma. Thus is born a label reminiscent of French wine blends but with a Mediterranean territorial connotation, which gives a warmer and sunnier expressive maturity. In the glass, it is an intense ruby red with garnet reflections. The nose expresses a ripe richness, with aromas of small dark berry fruits, cherry, notes of underbrush and humus, hints of spice, balsamic nuances and Mediterranean maquis herbs. The palate denotes important body and structure, with enveloping depth and remarkable flavour persistence. The tannic texture is well integrated, and the freshness is always balanced. Excellent pairings with roasted red meats or game.