In 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 simply gorgeous. This is one of the few 2008s I would buy to cellar. There is little doubt the Rennina is one of the standouts in 2008.

Bright dark red-ruby. Musky aromas of dark cherry, dried herbs and iron pick up a sweet balsamic element with aeration. Supple and sweet, with flavors of dark cherry, minerals and graphite, along with a strong saline quality that lingers nicely on the brightly acidic finish. This is still a baby but holds considerable potential. Rennina is made from a blend of grapes culled from three estate vineyards (Castagno, Santo Pietro and Pian dei Cerri).