La Gerla
Tuscany, Italy
Fattoria La Gerla, named for the large, old-fashioned, conical baskets that grape-harvesters used to carry on their backs, was founded in 1976 by the late Sergio Rossi. Originally from Milan, Mr. Rossi purchased the property in 1975 from Tedina Biondi-Santi, the daughter of Tancredi Biondi-Santi, who had inherited the property after her father’s passing. The purchase of what was then called the Podere Colombaio Santi included an ancient farmhouse and 6.5 hectare of vineyards. Mr. Rossi, who by then had been managing the Altesino-Caparzo estate for several years, renamed the property La Gerla and set about restoring the estate and replanting the vines using selection massale. His first vintage was 1976, making La Gerla one of the first 35 bottlers of Brunello di Montalcino; these days, there are 280.
Today, La Gerla consists of 11.5 hectares, divided between the original 6.5 hectare vineyard in Canalicchio (Montalcino) and an additional 5 hectares in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, where Mr. Rossi was presciently the first to plant vines in earnest. The estate, now run by vineyard manager/director Alberto Passeri and winemaker Vittorio Fiore, makes five wines, all made entirely from Sangiovese Grosso, the only grape planted on the property:
- Poggio Gli Angeli— made from young vines in Castelnuovo, in the Brunello zone but not registered as such. This wine spends 4 months in Slavonian botti.
- Rosso di Montalcino— sourced from the same sites as the Brunello, is aged for two years, one of which is in Slavonian oak casks.
- Birba— an IGT Toscana that is made from 100% Sangiovese; it starts as a Brunello di Montalcino and is then declassified. The only difference is that it sees about a year in barrique before moving to large Slavonian botte.
- Brunello— a blend of both the Canalicchio and Castelnuovo vineyards. The grapes are kept cool for 7-8 days before fermentation, which lasts up to 15 days. The wine is then transferred to large 50-100hl casks and is aged for three years, racked twice a year, then bottled. It is then aged for an additional year before release. This is classic Brunello; focused and flavorful, with hints of violets and berries on the nose, a rich, velvety texture and excellent acidity.
- Brunello gli Angeli (Riserva)— made in select years, this comes entirely from a one hectare parcel of old vines from the original Biondi-Santi site, located between 270 and 320 meters above sea level. This hillside vineyard occupies a privileged position at the estate and consistently offers beautiful and healthy fruit. The wine is kept for 4 years in 50 hectoliter Slavonian oak casks and kept for an additional year in bottle before being released.
La Gerla Wines
La GerlaPoggio Gli Angeli Sangiovese
90 Points From James Suckling
La Gerla rents and fully farms this vineyard in Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the southern part of the appellation. The vines are 15 years old, so they prefer to make a younger, fresher wine from it. Fermented in stainless steel, aged in used Slavonian oak botti for 4 months. 15,000 bottles produced.
La GerlaRosso di Montalcino
95 Points From Wine Enthusiast
100% Sangiovese from hillside vineyards located at between 270-320 meters. The average age of the vines is 15 years old. La Gerla Rosso spends six months in tank, then one year in Slavonian oak (large casks of 50hl) and another six months in bottle before being released.
La GerlaBirba
92 Points From Vinous
100% Sangiovese Grosso, planted on a hillside vineyard at 270 to 320 meters. The average age of the vines is 25 years old. The grapes are macerated under cool temperatures and undergo a long, slow fermentation at 30 degrees. The wine spends up to 14 months in barrique (1/3rd new) and 12 months in bottle before release.
La GerlaBrunello Di Montalcino
96 Points From Robert Parker
The La Gerla Brunello is a blend of both the Canalicchio and Castelnuovo vineyards; the average age of the vines is 25 years old.
The grapes are kept cool for 7-8 days before fermentation, which lasts up to 15 days. The wine is then transferred to large 50-100hl casks and is aged for three years, racked twice a year, then bottled. It is then aged for an additional year before release.
La GerlaBrunello “La Pieve”
96 Points From Giardini
Crushed stone, wilted violets, black currants, balsam herbs and worn leather can all be found as the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve blossoms in the glass. It plays tricks on the palate, at once rich and suave, and then suddenly slender and poised, yet always potent, with masses of red and black berries that penetrate deeply. This is so youthfully wound up yet full of balanced pleasures, as salty minerals, licorice and tart blackberries linger incredibly long under an air of violet florals. Even with the difficult vintage, this is a fantastic inaugural performance for La Gerla’s La Pieve, which is a single-vineyard expression sourced from Castelnuovo dell’Abate.
La GerlaBrunello Di Montalcino Riserva
97 Points From James Suckling
This single-vineyard cru is La Gerla’s flagship wine. Made in select years, this comes entirely from a one-hectare parcel of old vines (25-30 years old) from the original Biondi-Santi site, located between 270 and 320 meters above sea level. This hillside vineyard occupies a privileged position at the estate and consistently offers beautiful and healthy fruit. The wine is aged for 4 years in 50 -100hl Slavonian oak casks and an additional year in bottle before being released.
La GerlaBrunello Di Montalcino Riserva - Winery Cellar Vintage
97 Points From Wine Spectator
This single-vineyard cru is La Gerla’s flagship wine. Made in select years, this comes entirely from a one-hectare parcel of old vines (25-30 years old) from the original Biondi-Santi site, located between 270 and 320 meters above sea level. This hillside vineyard occupies a privileged position at the estate and consistently offers beautiful and healthy fruit. The wine is aged for 4 years in 50 -100hl Slavonian oak casks and an additional year in bottle before being released.
La GerlaBrunello Di Montalcino Riserva - Signed By Winemaker
97 Points From James Suckling
This single-vineyard cru is La Gerla’s flagship wine. Made in select years, this comes entirely from a one-hectare parcel of old vines (25-30 years old) from the original Biondi-Santi site, located between 270 and 320 meters above sea level. This hillside vineyard occupies a privileged position at the estate and consistently offers beautiful and healthy fruit. The wine is aged for 4 years in 50 -100hl Slavonian oak casks and an additional year in bottle before being released.
La GerlaExtra Virgin Oil
The extra-virgin olive oil from La Gerla is strictly obtained from a cold pressing of the olives hand-picked from the trees in our two areas of production at Canalicchio and Castlenuovo dell’Abate located at about 300 m.a.s.l.
La GerlaGrappa
Clear, natural grappa with violet reflections. Strong in character with a full, soft body and subtle notes of red fruits.