IL BLU is “… the wine that put Brancaia on the map of the most famous wineries in Tuscany” (Monica Larner for Robert Parker).
Our top wine perfectly embodies the unmistakable identity of our winery and reflects our vision of winemaking, which is rooted in an unwavering commitment to quality and respect for nature.
Since its debut in 1988, IL BLU has been the result of our ongoing pursuit of perfection. It is only pressed from the best, hand-selected grapes from our two vineyards in the Chianti region.
The blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon matures in French barriques, two-thirds of which are new, and then ages in the bottle for at least another year. With ultra-fine tannins and a smooth and full finish, IL BLU is a full-bodied wine that impresses with its complexity and elegance.
Over the past 30 years, IL BLU has not only become a symbol for Brancaia, but has gained worldwide recognition. For many wine lovers it has long been considered a classic and is regularly praised by wine critics from all over the world.
Like its unmistakable label, one of the characteristic features of our winery, this wine shows the same characteristics: modern, elegant and timeless.
Ideal with: hearty dishes, red meat and dark game fowl. Our favorite: with Bistecca alla Fiorentina made from Chianina beef.
BASIC INFORMATION
Description
Made only from the best hand-harvested and selected grapes from our two estates in the Chianti region, with ultra-fine tannins and a smooth and full finish, this is a full-bodied wine that stands out for its complexity and elegance. Today, thanks to the ever-improving complexity of our Merlot grapes, in particular from our vineyards in Radda in Chianti, the blend is 80% Merlot and 10% each Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each single vineyard and variety are aged separately in barriques, new for two thirds, for 18 months. Afterwards, all the individual casks are tasted to select the final blend, which refines in uncoated concrete tanks for 3 months. This way the wine becomes more balanced, aromas are better integrated and so are the tannins, even before the one-year bottle aging. We continue the work of perfecting this wine, while at the same time, we take great care to preserve its identity.
Denomination IGT Rosso Toscana
Varieties 80% Merlot 10% Sangiovese 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
VINEYARDS AND TERROIR
Vineyards location Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti
Vineyards elevation and exposure 230 - 400 mt a.s.l.; S-SW exp.
Soils Castellina in Chianti: loamy; Radda in Chianti: medium textured with rocky skeleton
Climate and microclimate Continental climate, with cold winters (temperatures below 0° C) and very hot summers
VINIFICATION AND AGING
Harvest 01.09.20 - 30.09.20
Wine analysis Alcohol: 14,5%; total acidity: 5,70‰
Temperature of fermentation 32°
Must contact Up to 18 days
Maturing 18 months 2/3 in new barriques 1/3 in used barriques, 3 additional months in concrete tanks
Bottle ageing 12 months
First year of production 1988
Ageing potential Up to 25 years
Tasting note
Aromas of currant, violet and cocoa. A wine of great structure, with elegant, firm and creamy tannins. Rich and intense, with sweet currant and wild berries characterizing the finish.
Perfect with
Food with pronounced taste, dark meat such as beef or lamb, roast or braised game.
James Suckling 96
