Brancaia Ilatraia

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Being a Cabernet lover I have always been partial to Super Tuscans, especially those from Bolhgeri and Maremma Toscana.

The 2013 Brancaia Ilatraia from Maremma checks all of the boxes.

Lively dark fruit and blackberries are supported by soft tannins with hints of clove and floral undertones on the finish.

Brancaia Ilatraia is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Petit Verdot and 20% Cabernet Franc.  The wine was aged 18 months in French barriques – half of them new – and then matured for 12 months in the bottle, prior to release.

With a retail price of $55, this wine is a must add to any Cab lover’s cellar.

Grattamacco Bolgheri Suoeriore

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Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore is a must buy for all Cabernet and Bordeaux lovers.
This intense wine is a brilliant ruby color with scents of sweet perfume and berries on the nose. While the palate is full of mouthwatering cherries, ripe fruit and pepper flavors which precede toasted oak and leather on the long dry finish.
This Super Tuscan is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese, and at $59.99 it is priced at a steep discount to its rivals in Bordeaux and Napa Valley

 

Le Macchiole Paleo

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The 2013 Le Macchiole Paleo is a charismatic and enchanting wine made entirely of Cabernet Franc.

This complex wine evolves continuously in the glass.  At first the wine captivates you with lush blackberries with a hint of spice.  The second sample is loaded with rose petals and mocha followed by creamy toasted oak and nuts which then give way to a velvety plum and berry finish.

This is a must try for all Italian wine lovers or anyone who has not tried a wine made from Cabernet Franc.

The retail price for Paleo is about $95, but I was able to secure this for $69 at one of my favorite wine stores, Sokolin,  in Bridgehampton NY.