La Gerla Birba Toscana Rosso IGT
WHY WE LOVE IT
- First produced in 1988 from an experiment by Mr. “Birba” Sergio Rossi who decides to try and age Brunello in barriques. The result is a decisively charming, very pleasant wine, and, at the same time, robust wine with a winning value for money.
- The vineyard location is a hillside at 270-320 metres.
- The vines are an average of 30 years old.
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)
Elaboration: Vineyard training system is spurred cordon. Intense pruning, production limited to very few bunches per plant (50ql/ha), harvested by hand and selection of grapes on selection table. Soft pressing of grapes, temperature-controlled fermentation (30°C) and maceration (15 days), racking twice a year, slow continuous flow bottling in sterilized conditions. Aged 8-12 months in French Allier-Vosge oak medium-toasted barriques, a third of which are new. Aged 7 months before release.
Tasting Notes: Very intense ruby. Evolved fine fruits with aromas of vanilla and strawberry. The taste is dry, harmonious, round, velvety.
PRESS
2019 – 93 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
La Gerla is a renowned Brunello winery in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. Founded by Sergio Rossi in 1976, the estate is known for its high-quality Sangiovese Grosso grapes and the production of Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino, and Toscani IGT wines. The winery is situated at 320 meters above sea level and is bordered by the Orcia and Ombrone valleys.
Sergio passed in 2011 and his work has been continued by his wife, Donatella, winemaker Vittorio Fiore, Alberto Passeri, agronomist/director and a team that has helped him achieve his goals from the start. Today the estate has large modern cellars complete with the latest technology and focuses on environmental sustainability, clean energy and produces powerful, complex wines made entirely from Sangiovese Grosso.