2019 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino
Regular price $78.00
Sergio Rossi created Fattoria La Gerla in 1976, after buying 6.5 hectares of vineyards with an ancient farmhouse from Biondi Santi, the founding family of Brunello di Montalcino. The original estate is in Canalicchio, on the northeast slope of the Montalcino hill. Signor Rossi later added five hectares in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, on the southeast slope of the hill. These two terroirs - Canalicchio more calcareous and cooler; Castelnuovo dell’Abate sandier and warmer - come together in La Gerla’s Brunello.
Like all Brunello di Montalcino, La Gerla’s is 100% sangiovese grosso, Montalcino’s large-berried, thick-skinned biotype of sangiovese that gives power, structure, and elegance to the wines of this area. Farming is organic. Aging was in large casks (5,000-10,000 liters) for three years and then another year in bottle before release. Brunello di Montalcino must by law be aged for a minimum of four years, including at least two years in barrel. Even after four years of aging at the winery, Brunello can be pretty tannic and ungenerous; the additional two years in bottle for this 2019 are a definite benefit. The tannins have softened and integrated with the wine’s pretty yet powerful fruit, spice, and savory components.
Brunello is arguably Italy’s most apt pairing with grilled steak (bistecca alla fiorentina, for example). But this wine also will work with richer meat- and tomato-based pasta dishes or simply a well-aged cheese. And of course the wines of Montalcino are famously age-worthy, so if you want to wait for a decade or two, go for it.A PMW wine club selection (Mar. 2026).