Gaja (Pieve Santa Restituta), Brunello Montalcino Rennina

Gaja (Pieve Santa Restituta), Brunello Montalcino RenninaIn a vintage where so many wines already appear tired, Gaja's 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Rennina jumps from the glass with vibrant aromas and flavors. Violets, black cherries, tobacco, licorice and menthol all appear later, adding further shades of complexity. The tannins are firm yet beautifully integrated. Pieve Santa Restituta fans know than Rennina can be deceptively medium in body, yet it has a great track record for aging. Today, the wine is

This may well age out

with a different personality from its siblings

Medium-bodied

crushed flowers and deeply spiced notes are woven into an intricate fabric of indescribable class

yet have even a broader drink window

Dark and imposing

flinty touches to the nose - it’s still extremely young - with green and red apple notes and some clear slate and wet stone minerality

dried pear

Superb definition towards the finish and great length

pliant red-toned fruit and mid-weight structure are the signatures

refined and lacy medium weight flavors that deliver excellent length on the balanced and beautifully persistent if slightly warm finale

This is an explosive and absolutely exuberant expression of Nebbiolo from a vineyard site in La Morra near M