One of Angelo Gaja’s two Tuscan properties, is on the site of an old church, Santa Restituta, which dates back to the 4th century. As is the family’s style, their’s is a fusion of modern and traditional winemaking. They too own land on the Buonconvento Northern side of Montalcino and some prestigious lands in the South, a stone’s throw from Sesti.

The Northern sites normally go into the Brunello di Montalcino ‘normale’ with Sugarille and Rennina located around the winery on the Southern side of the town being bottled individually as Crus. These three Brunellos from one of the finest names in Italian wine are impeccably crafted and full of character, finesse and age ability.

Gaja Pieve di Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino 2014, 14 Abv.

In 2012, Gaja blended all three of their top vineyards together to create a single punchy super Brunello cuvee. In 2014 they did the same again due to difficult weather conditions but with one massive difference being that this time, 80% to 90% of the final cuvee’s fruit came from just the two Cru vineyards of Rennina and Sugarille. Bright translucent colour, the 2014 Brunello mimics the delicious 2012 release. The result is a wonderfully fragrant, expressive aromatic nose showing tar, red cherry, Seville oranges, earthy aniseed root, violets, cherry blossom, tannery leather and sweet cedar oak vanilla spice complexity. Deliciously plump and full fruited, this wine is plush and opulent, fleshy, dense and super vibrant with an extra level of stony minerality. What a fabulous success for the vintage. Drink now to 2030+

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)