La Gerla

Pleasure and high drinkability from Tuscany: Fresh ruby red. In the nose small red berries and hints of herbs. Firm on the generous palate, with nice Sangiovese acidity and a fruity medium-long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Precise Rosso from a good house. Nice texture of juicy berries with a hint of plum and orange peel. Good tannin structure, polished on the finish and of good length. Successful! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino makes itself known with a captivating display of dusty rose, fresh strawberries and hints of confectionary spice. This silky and feminine effort impresses further with a savory mix of red and hints of blue fruit, as salty mineral tones create a more tactile feel toward the close. A note of sour cherry pits lingers under an air of purple-tinged flowers as it tapers off lightly structured. The 2019 would benefit from a short stay in the cellar, and it should emerge as an incredibly pretty Rosso." Vinous

Beautiful ruby red, hints of cherries and chocolate, complex. Finely polished, silky tannin and a promising, enticing finish. Just 7,000 bottles of the sophisticated Birba are produced each year and it gives a good foretaste of the coming Brunello vintage every year. SUPERIORE.DE

La Gerla's most charming Brunello from the dream year 2015 shines in a wonderfully intense ruby red. Dense and at the same time clear cherry nose, underpinned with blackberry, on the palate it seriously plays out its great elegance, underpinned by a polished tannin, which leads into an almost endlessly long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intriguing bouquet with notes of cherries and herbs; excellent construction, the acidity and the long-lasting tannins in perfect harmony, lots of melting and finesse, fresh and expansive at the same time." Vinum

"Lots of raspberry coulis, dried redcurrants and red-plum compote here. The medium-to full-bodied palate has fleshy and succulent appeal with juicy tannins and a fruit-forward finish." James Suckling

"Black cherry and black currant fruit is accented by tobacco, earth and mineral flavors in this sleek yet dense red. Balsamic elements of juniper, thyme and olive add depth as this cruises to a long finish. The potential lies in the excellent length." Wine Spectator

"La Gerla's 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous, showing depths of earthy moist soil, minerals and hints of animal musk up front, giving way to crushed strawberry and cherry, getting spicy with lifting minerals yet retaining a rich character throughout. On the palate, silky textures are matched by cool-toned acids and refreshing moist mineral tones, as zesty cherry and cedar come forward. It's so balanced and smooth, with high energy lasting into the long finish, showing saturating spice and salty minerals, yet remaining cool-toned and precise. The 2015 is a beautifully balanced wine that's firmly rooted in the earth." Vinous

"I tasted the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino after tasting the other samples from La Gerla, and it's amazing how clearly and convincingly that brawny Brunello character comes through. This is a robust and precise wine that shows dark berry fruit, red currant, spice, licorice and grilled herb. I love the way that all that beautiful Sangiovese intensity comes together with immediate focus and clarity." Robert Parker

Bright ruby red with a light rim. Equally bright and very complex bouquet of wild berries, strawberries, dried fruits, tar and balsamic herbs. On the palate, a very attractive, supple texture, again a beautiful red berry fruit in the drink, plus traces of blackcurrant, blueberry and liquorice. In the long, clean finish, traces of well-integrated light wood and a very appealing silkiness. Probably one of the most successful Brunello from La Gerla we have ever had in the glass! SUPERIORE.DE

"Noble shining ruby red. In the nose after tobacco, light leather, then after ripe forest fruits and sour cherries, very ripe strawberries, in the reverberation after dried rose petals. Clear and radiant on the palate, opens with many layers, with pressure and finesse, spans a magnificent fan, also salty, great length."Falstaff

"Lightish brick ruby. Lively, perfumed with sour cherry. So fragrant and open. Sweet tobacco and herbs. Light and juicy on the palate but intense and persistent. The tannins are super-fine and infused by the aromatic fruit. Pretty and finely dry on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"This red is round, with juicy cherry, plum and spice flavors. Shows hints of chocolate and loam, remaining harmonious and fresh through the long finish." Wine Spectator

"Underbrush, rose, leather and dark spice aromas lift out of the glass along with a whiff of camphor. The linear, elegantly structured palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, orange zest, star anise and crushed mint alongside tightly wound but refined tannins and bright acidity. It's still young and nervous so give it time to fully develop." Wine Enthusiast

"Elegant, tight and streamlined, the La Gerla 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a savory and slightly spicy bouquet. More than fruit, the first tones you get focus on tar, smoke, licorice and mixed herbs. This wine offers a very Mediterranean personality with elegant mineral notes that come out in a second wave. The wine goes through a relatively quick fermentation with about 15 days of skin contact followed by 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks. With more time in the glass, it opens to blue flower, lilac, dried berry and crème de cassis." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino displays depths of rich blackberry and cherry sauce with mentholated herbal tones adding lift, while notes of cedar and clove develop in the glass. Its textures are like pure silk, draped slowly across the palate, showing admirable density and weight, balanced by bright acids and minerals. This is so tightly wound up in its youthful state, yet it's packed full of potential with a core of dark primary fruit that isn't quite ready to reveal its charms. A web of fine tannin makes itself known only at the very end, as the 2016 slowly tapers off to hints of tobacco. The 2016 will take some time for this to come fully into focus, but it will be well worth the wait." Vinous

"Very pretty ripe and dried fruit with blackberries and sweet cherries. It's full-bodied with depth of fruit and creamy, polished tannins. Extremely compact and long. Pure fruit at the end. A gorgeous wine." James Suckling

Deep ruby red, aromas of red berries, cedar wood and some lime zest on the nose. Strong, tight body, straight tannins and a subtle acidity that promise it balance, elegant structure and a long life. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling garnet red. Very appealing, open nose, of cranberries, blackberries and ripe cherries, graceful play, slightly resinous notes in the background. Supple on the palate, shows nicely ripened berry fruit, some tobacco, sturdy tannin, nice play between ripe fruit and sweet melting on the final." Falstaff

"Striking autumnal sous bois type character here. This is a remarkably suave and supple Brunello Riserva that stands out in the crowd in spite of the classic red fruit character. A silky long finish." James Suckling

"Pipe tobacco, blue flower, plum and dark culinary spice are some of the aromas you'll find on this full-bodied red. The aromas carry over to the firmly structured palate along with dried cherry, orange zest and star anise. Firm fine-grained tannins provide the backbone." Wine Enthusiast

"Here is a dense and meaty Tusan red that flaunts its immediate power, structure and intensity. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is robust and deep thanks to a generous offering of dark fruit, spice and tar-like aromas. Fruit is carefully selected for this wine, and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel. Post fermentation, the wine goes into large Slavonian oak casks for four years. The finish is soft and supple with sweet berry flavors. This wine has made an impressive jump forward in this vintage." Robert Parker

"Bright red. Pure and very flinty nuances complement aromas and flavors of strawberry-rhubarb and wild berries on the nose and palate. Dense and juicy and boasting a focused, penetrating mouthfeel, this finishes long and clean with a very strong note of licorice. Best classico Brunello from La Gerla in some time." Vinous

Here comes the archetype of the perfectly balanced 2015 vintage in Montalcino: seductive scent of wild berries, mint, orange peel and undergrowth. Fleshy in the drink with a firm, well-proportioned core, fantastically fresh and integrated acid wire, the fruit carpet rolls out full of cherries and small red berries in the glass. These impressive primary aromas are skilfully surrounded by notes of cedar, tobacco and sweet herbs, sip by sip the whole drama of this exceptional wine becomes more and more present and inevitably casts its spell. May the bottle never be empty - and may the discipline be there to hold back a few bottles of this exceptional wine to enjoy it in the coming years on its way to full bloom! SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, rich ruby with garnet rim. Very finely marked nose, of plums and cranberries, slightly resinous components, some cardamom. Ripe, juicy fruit on the palate, lots of cherry, opens up with fine-meshed tannin, sturdy and long." Falstaff

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli is drop-dead gorgeous, as it keeps you coming back to the glass over and over to take in its alluring display of rich dark fruits with sweet mint, mulling spice and a grounding hint of flowery undergrowth. Its textures are seamless, coasting across a core of vibrant acids, which enliven its flavors of black cherry and currants. You can almost forget how youthful the 2015 is today, as it comes across as juicy at times. That said, there's plenty of structure here to carry it for many years in the cellar. Notes of licorice, tobacco and sweet herbs linger long over a gentle coating of fine tannin. This may be dangerously delicious today; yet after just a few years of cellaring, I expect the Riserva Gli Angeli to fully blossom and provide a long and open drinking window." Vinous

"New leather, forest floor and ripe woodland-berry aromas make their way to the forefront together with whiffs of violet and pipe tobacco. Full bodied and firmly structured, the palate offers finesse and concentrated flavors including crushed raspberry, morello cherry, licorice and truffle framed in tightly knit, polished tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The La Gerla 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is a softly textured and fleshed out wine that shows darker and deeper fruit (compared to the 2016 Brunello that I tasted at the same time). This wine makes a great first impression, mostly thanks to that sense of quiet balance. As it opens in the glass, I notice the pretty ripeness of the vintage with dark cherry and summer plum. In all, this Riserva gives us an accessible and rich expression that will perform nicely upon release." Robert Parker

"Rich and round, here is a red full of macerated plum and cherry flavors, with almond, leather, spice and earth accents. Firms up on the finish, where the vibrant fruit echoes." Wine Spectator

"Sweet berries and cherries with flowers, orange peel and hints of leaves. Sandalwood and meat, too. It's full-bodied with chewy tannins that are polished and beautiful. Great finish. This is really impressive at the end. Best ever? So gorgeous now, but will be even more impressive in two or three years." James Suckling

La Gerla's most charming Brunello from the dream year 2015 shines in a wonderfully intense ruby red. Dense and at the same time clear cherry nose, underpinned with blackberry, on the palate it seriously plays out its great elegance, underpinned by a polished tannin, which leads into an almost endlessly long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intriguing bouquet with notes of cherries and herbs; excellent construction, the acidity and the long-lasting tannins in perfect harmony, lots of melting and finesse, fresh and expansive at the same time." Vinum

"Lots of raspberry coulis, dried redcurrants and red-plum compote here. The medium-to full-bodied palate has fleshy and succulent appeal with juicy tannins and a fruit-forward finish." James Suckling

"Black cherry and black currant fruit is accented by tobacco, earth and mineral flavors in this sleek yet dense red. Balsamic elements of juniper, thyme and olive add depth as this cruises to a long finish. The potential lies in the excellent length." Wine Spectator

"La Gerla's 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous, showing depths of earthy moist soil, minerals and hints of animal musk up front, giving way to crushed strawberry and cherry, getting spicy with lifting minerals yet retaining a rich character throughout. On the palate, silky textures are matched by cool-toned acids and refreshing moist mineral tones, as zesty cherry and cedar come forward. It's so balanced and smooth, with high energy lasting into the long finish, showing saturating spice and salty minerals, yet remaining cool-toned and precise. The 2015 is a beautifully balanced wine that's firmly rooted in the earth." Vinous

"I tasted the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino after tasting the other samples from La Gerla, and it's amazing how clearly and convincingly that brawny Brunello character comes through. This is a robust and precise wine that shows dark berry fruit, red currant, spice, licorice and grilled herb. I love the way that all that beautiful Sangiovese intensity comes together with immediate focus and clarity." Robert Parker

Bright ruby red with a light rim. Equally bright and very complex bouquet of wild berries, strawberries, dried fruits, tar and balsamic herbs. On the palate, a very attractive, supple texture, again a beautiful red berry fruit in the drink, plus traces of blackcurrant, blueberry and liquorice. In the long, clean finish, traces of well-integrated light wood and a very appealing silkiness. Probably one of the most successful Brunello from La Gerla we have ever had in the glass! SUPERIORE.DE

"Noble shining ruby red. In the nose after tobacco, light leather, then after ripe forest fruits and sour cherries, very ripe strawberries, in the reverberation after dried rose petals. Clear and radiant on the palate, opens with many layers, with pressure and finesse, spans a magnificent fan, also salty, great length."Falstaff

"Lightish brick ruby. Lively, perfumed with sour cherry. So fragrant and open. Sweet tobacco and herbs. Light and juicy on the palate but intense and persistent. The tannins are super-fine and infused by the aromatic fruit. Pretty and finely dry on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"This red is round, with juicy cherry, plum and spice flavors. Shows hints of chocolate and loam, remaining harmonious and fresh through the long finish." Wine Spectator

"Underbrush, rose, leather and dark spice aromas lift out of the glass along with a whiff of camphor. The linear, elegantly structured palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, orange zest, star anise and crushed mint alongside tightly wound but refined tannins and bright acidity. It's still young and nervous so give it time to fully develop." Wine Enthusiast

"Elegant, tight and streamlined, the La Gerla 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a savory and slightly spicy bouquet. More than fruit, the first tones you get focus on tar, smoke, licorice and mixed herbs. This wine offers a very Mediterranean personality with elegant mineral notes that come out in a second wave. The wine goes through a relatively quick fermentation with about 15 days of skin contact followed by 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks. With more time in the glass, it opens to blue flower, lilac, dried berry and crème de cassis." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino displays depths of rich blackberry and cherry sauce with mentholated herbal tones adding lift, while notes of cedar and clove develop in the glass. Its textures are like pure silk, draped slowly across the palate, showing admirable density and weight, balanced by bright acids and minerals. This is so tightly wound up in its youthful state, yet it's packed full of potential with a core of dark primary fruit that isn't quite ready to reveal its charms. A web of fine tannin makes itself known only at the very end, as the 2016 slowly tapers off to hints of tobacco. The 2016 will take some time for this to come fully into focus, but it will be well worth the wait." Vinous

"Very pretty ripe and dried fruit with blackberries and sweet cherries. It's full-bodied with depth of fruit and creamy, polished tannins. Extremely compact and long. Pure fruit at the end. A gorgeous wine." James Suckling

Deep ruby red, on the nose aromas of red berries, cedar wood and some lime zest. Strong, firm body, straight tannins and a subtle acidity, which promise him balance, elegant structure and a long life. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling garnet red. Very appealing, open nose, of cranberries, blackberries and ripe cherries, graceful play, slightly resinous notes in the background. On the palate supple at the beginning, shows beautifully ripened berry fruit, some tobacco, substantial tannin, in the final beautiful play between ripe fruit and sweet melt. Falstaff

"Striking autumnal sous bois type character here. This is a remarkably suave and supple Brunello Riserva that stands out in the crowd in spite of the classic red fruit character. A silky long finish." James Suckling

"Pipe tobacco, blue flower, plum and dark culinary spice are some of the aromas you'll find on this full-bodied red. The aromas carry over to the firmly structured palate along with dried cherry, orange zest and star anise. Firm fine-grained tannins provide the backbone." Wine Enthusiast

"Here is a dense and meaty Tusan red that flaunts its immediate power, structure and intensity. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is robust and deep thanks to a generous offering of dark fruit, spice and tar-like aromas. Fruit is carefully selected for this wine, and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel. Post fermentation, the wine goes into large Slavonian oak casks for four years. The finish is soft and supple with sweet berry flavors. This wine has made an impressive jump forward in this vintage." Robert Parker

"Bright red. Pure and very flinty nuances complement aromas and flavors of strawberry-rhubarb and wild berries on the nose and palate. Dense and juicy and boasting a focused, penetrating mouthfeel, this finishes long and clean with a very strong note of licorice. Best classico Brunello from La Gerla in some time." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

Here comes the archetype of the perfectly balanced 2015 vintage in Montalcino: seductive scent of wild berries, mint, orange peel and undergrowth. Fleshy in the drink with a firm, well-proportioned core, fantastically fresh and integrated acid wire, the fruit carpet rolls out full of cherries and small red berries in the glass. These impressive primary aromas are skilfully surrounded by notes of cedar, tobacco and sweet herbs, sip by sip the whole drama of this exceptional wine becomes more and more present and inevitably casts its spell. May the bottle never be empty - and may the discipline be there to hold back a few bottles of this exceptional wine to enjoy it in the coming years on its way to full bloom! SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, rich ruby with garnet rim. Very finely marked nose, of plums and cranberries, slightly resinous components, some cardamom. Ripe, juicy fruit on the palate, lots of cherry, opens up with fine-meshed tannin, sturdy and long." Falstaff

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli is drop-dead gorgeous, as it keeps you coming back to the glass over and over to take in its alluring display of rich dark fruits with sweet mint, mulling spice and a grounding hint of flowery undergrowth. Its textures are seamless, coasting across a core of vibrant acids, which enliven its flavors of black cherry and currants. You can almost forget how youthful the 2015 is today, as it comes across as juicy at times. That said, there's plenty of structure here to carry it for many years in the cellar. Notes of licorice, tobacco and sweet herbs linger long over a gentle coating of fine tannin. This may be dangerously delicious today; yet after just a few years of cellaring, I expect the Riserva Gli Angeli to fully blossom and provide a long and open drinking window." Vinous

"New leather, forest floor and ripe woodland-berry aromas make their way to the forefront together with whiffs of violet and pipe tobacco. Full bodied and firmly structured, the palate offers finesse and concentrated flavors including crushed raspberry, morello cherry, licorice and truffle framed in tightly knit, polished tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The La Gerla 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is a softly textured and fleshed out wine that shows darker and deeper fruit (compared to the 2016 Brunello that I tasted at the same time). This wine makes a great first impression, mostly thanks to that sense of quiet balance. As it opens in the glass, I notice the pretty ripeness of the vintage with dark cherry and summer plum. In all, this Riserva gives us an accessible and rich expression that will perform nicely upon release." Robert Parker

"Rich and round, here is a red full of macerated plum and cherry flavors, with almond, leather, spice and earth accents. Firms up on the finish, where the vibrant fruit echoes." Wine Spectator

"Sweet berries and cherries with flowers, orange peel and hints of leaves. Sandalwood and meat, too. It's full-bodied with chewy tannins that are polished and beautiful. Great finish. This is really impressive at the end. Best ever? So gorgeous now, but will be even more impressive in two or three years." James Suckling