Pieve Santa Restituta
(Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino "Sugarille" 2004
(Tuscany, Italy) 750mL - [WA 95] [WS 95] [VM 94]

About the Winery:

Pieve Santa Restituta is GAJA's estate in Montalcino, purchased in 1994. It is the family's first expansion outside the Barbaresco and Barolo areas since its establishment in 1859. Since 1994 several redevelopment works have been carried out in the vineyards to transform the vine growing methods in line with GAJA’s winemaking philosophy. The name of the winery derives from the ancient Pieve (church) situated in the middle of the estate, whose foundations date back to the 4th century AD. The labels chosen for the wines pay tribute to the Pieve and recall the typical colors of the Gaja family, i.e. black and white. Wine has been made here since the 12th century.
Santa Restituta is the patron saint of the island of Ischia, off the coast of Naples, where she was miraculously delivered from her pagan torturers who had planned to kill her at sea.
The labels chosen for the wines pay tribute to the Pieve and recall the typical colors of the Gaja family, the iconic black and white. Pieve Santa Restituta produces three Brunello di Montalcino wines: Rennina, Sugarille and Brunello di Montalcino.
The estate spans 86 acres under vines. Vineyards are located in a particularly privileged position, facing south and southwest, and the estate has an altitude ranging from 1,050 to 1,150 feet above sea level. The hills, of the Eocene age and facing the sea, are characterized by an extremely windy, dry and bright microclimate, preventing damp stagnation and allowing full grape ripening.
Pieve Santa Restituta combines traditional Tuscan winemaking methods with modern techniques to enhance the expression of the Sangiovese grape and the unique terroir of Montalcino.
The wines are typically aged in a mix of new oak casks and older vessels, allowing for both the preservation of fruit character and the development of complex tertiary notes.
The estate pays close attention to vineyard management and the specific characteristics of their vineyards, aiming to express the distinctiveness of the Montalcino terroir in their wines.

About the Wine:

Sugarille is the name given to the parish estate, as a result of the inventory drawn up in 1547 by canon Giovanni Sampieri. Sugarille is the name both of the vineyard and the wine.

A single vineyard facing south and covering a surface of 4.5 hectares mainly consisting o clay and limestone, with the presence of galestro (a rocky, schistous clay soil).

Fermentation and maceration for around three weeks followed by 24 months of aging in oak and another six months in concrete vats.

Tasting Notes:

Even deeper hues of concentrated ruby-red color than the Rennina 2018. The nose begins with sweet notes of cotton candy, pomegranate, and hints of tea rose all culminating in a savory mouthfeel, a classic style of this vineyard. The tannins are rich and silky.

Ratings and Reviews

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille is darker and richer than the Rennina. Black cherries, plums, tar, licorice, minerals and leather all come together in this brooding Brunello. The fruit remains intense and full-bodied all the way through to the powerful and deeply satisfying close. Despite the wine’s heft, all of the components are woven together with remarkable harmony. This is a wonderful effort from Angelo Gaja. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2026. Angelo Gaja’s wines from Montalcino seem to get far less attention than his wines from Piedmont and Maremma, but they can equally compelling. Gaja did not produce his Brunellos in 2002 or 2003 which demonstrates his commitment to putting only the finest juice in the bottle." - Antonio Galloni (Jun 2009)

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Shows aromas of citrus fruit, with raspberry and blackberry. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins. Very well-structured, with a hint of new wood on the finish. Long and balanced. Still needs time. The best wine ever from this estate. Best after 2011." (Jun 2009)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille mesmerizes as it envelops the senses with a seductive bouquet of red plums, dusty cedar spice box, incense and cloves. It opens with a pretty inner sweetness yet quickly takes form as crisp red berry fruits flow across silken textures, contrasted by hints of tart citrus and saline mineral tones that add a crunchy sensation toward the close. This finishes remarkably fresh, perfumed and almost zesty in character, with a tinge of sour cherry that keeps the mouth salivating. The slightest tug of fine tannins lingers on. While both came direct from the winery, the bottle I tasted in 2021 was nowhere near as fresh and energetic as today’s specimen. This is a fantastic showing. (Drink between 2024-2030)." - Eric Guido (Jan 2025)