Sito Moresco 2009

Angelo Gaja is one of the most well-known figures on the international scene among Italian wine producers and his wines have not stopped receiving excellent reviews since he began his small modernist revolution in the eighties, casting out the classicism inherent in staid and tedious Piemonte wines. Gaja wanted to bring together a combination of traditional and foreign varieties that would complement his wines most pleasingly, whilst steering away from the use of old wood in favour of creamier oak.   

Appearance

A ruby red colour, very bright, of high density. Tears running down quickly.

Nose

Very intense, with an abundance of red fruit. Rather spicy and pleasantly perfumed with damp earth notes.

Palate

Meaty, very elegant but with a while still left in bottle. Hints of cherries in liqueur, black spices and roast on the finish.

Sito Moresco was a vineyard that Gaja acquired in 1978 and its name refers to the former owner. Although at first only the Nebbiolo grape was used in the coupage, with a touch of Merlot and Barbera, nowadays Sito Moresco has just 35% Nebbiolo and the rest is a more than adequate amount of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for transforming this apparently simple wine into an international prototype for modern-day Piemonte wines. Flavoursome and very well-structured, it is still young, and it will need a couple of years more in bottle before reaching fullness. Since the label depicts a pair of pheasants, which are birds that invade Gaja’s vineyards, a good pairing choice would no doubt be delicious roasted pheasant with grapes, figs and foie gras.

Serving temperature: from 14 to 16º C

Recommended glass: Riedel, Sommeliers Collection, Tinto Reserve glass