1999 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille

Pieve Santa Restituta in Montalcino is owned by Angelo Gaja and his family, one of the most noteworthy wine producing families in Italy. The 40-acre estate in the southwest of the Brunello di Montalcino appellation makes only Brunello di Montalcino. The Gaja family has renovated the cellars and replanted some vineyards. Gambero Rosso notes that the winery’s “style is classic; with great care taken over tannic resolution and preserving acidity and elegance.” About 750,000 bottles are produced annually.

Brunello di Montalcino is regarded as one of Italy’s best appellations. Located in south central Tuscany below Chianti, the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG are made of a Sangiovese clone called “brunello,” which means “little dark one,” a reference to the brown tones in the skin of the grape. Unlike some Tuscan appellations that allow other grapes to be blended with Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino is entirely Sangiovese. Montalcino itself is a picturesque, hill-top town not especially well known for wine production until the mid-19th century, when a local vineyard owner isolated the brunello clone and planted it. Other growers followed suit. Nevertheless it wasn’t until 1970s that wine enthusiasts started paying attention to Brunello di Montalcino, which by then was becoming an outstanding wine. Today there are 120 estates in the DOCG, up from about 25 estates in 1975. Brunellos in general are bigger, darker, more tannic and more powerful wines than Chiantis or most other Sangioveses. By law they must be aged for four years, and two of those years must be in wooden barrels.

Gaja