La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino 2016: A Tuscan Masterpiece of Elegance, Power, and Timeless Sangiovese Tradition
Brunello di Montalcino La Gerla 2016 is a wine of remarkable elegance and power, coming from one of the most acclaimed vintages of recent years. 2016 was characterized by ideal weather conditions, with moderate temperatures and a regular trend that allowed a slow and optimal maturation of the grapes. This Brunello fully reflects the quality and complexity that one would expect from a wine of this denomination, revealing all the finesse of Sangiovese di Montalcino.
The Producer
La Gerla is a Montalcino company, known for its respect for winemaking traditions and for producing Brunello of the highest quality. Founded in the 1970s by Sergio Rossi, the company extends over approximately 11 hectares of vineyards located in a hilly area ideal for growing Sangiovese. The mission: to make real wines that are polaroids of the territory. Simple.
The Basics
Denomination: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.
Grape variety: Sangiovese Grosso.
Vintage: 2016.
Aging: 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by further aging in the bottle for at least 6 months.
Alcohol content: 14%.
Serving temperature: 16-18°C
Tasting Notes
The 2016 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino opens with a broad and complex aromatic profile. On the nose, you can clearly perceive notes of black cherry, plum, and morello cherry, accompanied by elegant nuances of rose and violet. In the background, earthy hints of leather, undergrowth, and sweet spices such as star anise and tobacco emerge, while light balsamic hints further enrich the picture.
On the palate, it is full and enveloping, with well-integrated tannins that give a solid but velvety structure. The bright acidity gives freshness, perfectly balancing the power of the wine. The finish is long and persistent, with notes of bitter orange, mint, and a delicate minerality that leaves the palate clean and satisfied.
Food Pairings
A wine of this complexity lends itself perfectly to pairings with equally structured dishes. Ideal with braised meat, beef stew in dark beer, chicken curry, pulled pork, empanadas, hamburgers, and fillet Wellington.
Terroir and Winemaking
The vineyards of La Gerla are located at about 320 meters above sea level, on soils rich in galestro and clay, elements that contribute to giving structure and freshness to the wines. The harvest is done manually, and the attention to detail continues during the winemaking, with a controlled temperature fermentation and a long aging in oak barrels.
Price
The average price for a bottle of La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino 2016 is about 55 euros, a more than fair price to pay for a Tuscan red wine full of personality.
