# Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino (2018)

- **Producer:** Gaja
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese
- **Region:** Tuscany, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €189
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** wild herbs, black cherry, red plum, dried black cherries, blood orange, mint, oranges, red cherry, mediterranean herbs, black plum, eucalyptus, balsamic, coffee, new leather, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, tobacco, pine, moss, cedar, flinty stone, porcini, underbrush, spice box, capers

## About this wine

Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino 2018 is a 100% Sangiovese wine from Montalcino, Tuscany. Produced by the esteemed Gaja family, the wine originates from the historic Sugarille vineyard, known for its galestro soil and south/south-west exposure. The 2018 vintage is characterized by its idiosyncratic nature and a notable 'levity,' contributing to its balanced profile and aging potential. Gaja's Tuscan estate is dedicated to expressing the unique terroir of Montalcino through its Brunello.

## Interesting facts

- Sugarille vineyard cultivation dates back to the mid-16th century.
- Gaja is a historic family winery with roots in Piedmont.
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG requires 100% Sangiovese.
- The 2018 vintage is noted for its unique 'levity'.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and robust tannins are well-suited to rich, protein-heavy dishes, where they can cut through fat and complement the savory flavors. The complex aromatic profile, with notes of dark fruit, herbs, and spice, can echo or contrast with ingredients like mushrooms, game, and aromatic herbs, creating harmonious pairings.

## Wine making process

The Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino is produced from 100% Sangiovese grapes. Following harvest, the grapes undergo fermentation, likely in stainless steel tanks, to manage extraction of color, tannins, and aromatics. The wine is then aged in oak barrels, a standard practice for Brunello, which contributes to its structure, complexity, and aging potential. The specific techniques employed are guided by Gaja's philosophy of quality and terroir expression.