La Gerla Brunello

La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino is a single-estate expression of Sangiovese Grosso from the southeast-facing slopes of Montalcino, where the Rossi family has farmed since 1976. The wine shows the signature warmth and structure of Brunello — the appellation mandates 100% Sangiovese, a minimum of two years in oak, and five years total aging before release. This bottling speaks to the traditional side of the DOCG, built for patience and evolved complexity rather than immediate extraction. Sergio Rossi founded La Gerla on eight hectares near the medieval fortress, planting vines in the thin, chalky soils that drain quickly and concentrate fruit. The estate ferments in stainless steel and ages the wine in large Slavonian oak botti, a vessel that softens tannin without imposing vanilla or toast. The result is a Brunello that tastes like place — iron, dried cherry, forest floor — rather than barrel. The Rossi family still manages every vintage, and the estate remains one of Montalcino's smaller, quieter producers, more common in Chicago wine bars than in national distribution chains. The wine opens with scents of violet and iris layered over darker notes of tobacco leaf, cinnamon, and worn leather. On the palate, it unfolds warm and velvety, showing ripe cherry and plum persistence without sweetness, the tannins softened by time in barrel but still present enough to carry the wine through a long finish. This is Brunello for osso buco, braised short rib, or aged Parmigiano — wines this structured want fat and umami. Decant an hour before service if the bottle is young; older vintages can go straight to the glass. La Gerla Brunello is available for pickup at Off Premise Chicago, 1128 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park, with local Chicago delivery and nationwide shipping.