Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta 2016 Brunello di Montalcino - In Bond Per Case of 6x75cl
Gaja's estate Brunello has evolved over the last few years. Originally it was sourced from their vineyards in Tavernelle, right next to Gianfranco Soldera. In 2005 they acquired a new vineyard near Torreniere which they call 'Deserti' - this is now the source of this wine. When Gaja arrived the vineyard was largely already planted, but has now been extended to a total of 10 hectares with the vines age ranging on average 10 - 20 years old. In the last few years we have also seen Gaja move away from ageing their wines in barriques, and they are all the better for it.
The 2016 is already showing well but lovely silky fruit, a touch of austerity, as you would expect at this early stage, with plenty of muscle under the layers. The perfume is explosive and complex with all the delicacy we have come to expect from the 16s. Drink from 2022 onwards, but these 2016s will surprise us all, we are sure, with their ageing potential.
Available for delivery from end of March 2021.
This wine is offered in bond with duty & VAT payable on arrival, or we can store in our Private Reserves Account under bond at EHD Bond in Salisbury on your behalf.
The Vintage
2016 Brunello di Montalcino
Last year, we wrote that it remained to be seen if 2016 turned out a better vintage than its predecessor. Well, now we have made all our tastings it is still quite difficult to separate this pair in terms of quality, they are both 5 star vintages in our opinion, but these two are remarkably different in style. The 2015s are marked by their richness and density, with the 2016s being quite the reverse. The latter's wines are cooler and fresher and are more reticent in their aromatics, but the components are all there: fantastic acidity and tannins, with most of the wines having longer cellar potential. The vintage has been greatly hyped, and we are pleased with all our selections. Having tasted from close to 30 producers, we have kept our choices this year to a tight bunch of our perennial favourites, plus a few more which also excited us this year. This is a year to go long on: if you are fan of Brunello this is really not a year to miss.
