This wine popped up as a platinum winner at last year’s Sommelier Challenge, and the Critics agree: This is a solid wine in every vintage, and one with good distribution at a great price to boot. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it brings elements of each to bear, with structure, medium mid-palate weight and lively acidity that keeps the black cherry and dried herb notes seeming bright through the long finish. If you do a lot of Italian cooking, you need this in your arsenal. A Platinum Award Winner at the 2018 Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition.
Brancaia, Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2014
By Rich Cook