2005 Brancaia - Il Blu Proprietary Blend - Italy - Tuscany - Red

Brancaia in Chianti Classico, encompassing the two estates Brancaia and Poppi, has been owned by the Swiss couple Brigitte and Bruno Widmer since 1981. Barbara and Martin Kronenberg-Widmer run the winery together which is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico area. The estate had a vertical take-off when it's vintage 1983 won first place at a major Chianti Classico tasting. Since then, through uncompromising dedication to quality and a strong own identity, the continuous recognition of BRANCAIA was built up - spearheaded by the estates top-wine Brancaia IL BLU, being already a classic for many wine lovers all over the world.

Excellent results for a 2005 from Tuscany. I have a very positive bias towards San Giovese and Merlot, so this review is very subjective. But if you have to choose, go for the 2004 or 2006 from the Blu.

Cloudy medium garnet in color, this wine smells of chocolate covered cherries and wet dirt. I don't know about you, but that tends to make my mouth water. On the palate the wine offers an overwhelming sense of having just been dug up out of the wet ground and plopped in your glass. This damp earth quality quickly plays a low rumble to higher tones of cherries and chocolate that modulate to higher tones of rosehip and herbs on the long finish. Delicious.