Very pure and attractive fruit character here with blackberries and blueberries with crushed violets, dark chocolate and savory herbs undertones. Some citrus peel and wet stones, too. Full-bodied with super fine tannins and crunchy acidity that gives tension and energy to the fruit. So polished and silky. Very long. A blend of petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
94+ Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
An organic blend of 40% Petit Verdot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, the Brancaia 2020 Ilatraia (in the bottle with the black label) shows an inky dark appearance with lots of black and purple fruit intensity. This beautiful estate is nestled within the thick forests of Radda in Chianti, one of the wildest corners of the appellation. This vintage is slightly more accessible in terms of mouthfeel, but it still delivers ample spice, grilled herb and black pepper. Some 40,000 bottles are being released now.
94 Antonio Galloni - Vinous
The 2020 Ilatraia is a potent red that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to soften. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of black fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, incense and lavender. A wine of substance and power, Ilatraia is not as forthcoming as most wines from the Tuscan coast. I suspect the high percentage of Petit Verdot in the blend has a lot to do with that. This is a superb showing, especially for a vintage that yielded generally lighter wines on the coast.
