{"product_id":"la-gerla-brunello-di-montalcino-la-pieve-docg-2018tuscany-italy","title":"La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve DOCG 2018 (Tuscany, Italy) - [JD 94] [VM 94] [WS 92] [JS 91]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Winery: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThis small wine estate has established itself as one of the great crus in this territory in the heart of Tuscany, delineated by the Orcia and Ombrone valleys. The estate, formerly owned by the Biondi-Santi family, was purchased by the late Sergio Rossi (formerly at Altesino-Caparzo), and is now run by vineyard manager\/director Alberto Passeri and winemaker Vittorio Fiore. They make five wines, all made entirely from Sangiovese Grosso, the only grape planted on the property. Their first vintage was in 1976, making La Gerla one of the first 35 bottlers of Brunello di Montalcino; these days, there are 280. The winery name comes from the large, old-fashioned, conical baskets that grape-harvesters used to carry on their backs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Land was purchased by Sergio Rossi in 1976 and is now managed by Rossi's\u003cbr\u003ewife, Donatella Monforte.\u003cbr\u003e• The property extends over a total of 11.5ha and is complemented with\u003cbr\u003emodern cellars equipped with the latest technological advancements,\u003cbr\u003ehowever their Brunello is aged traditionally in Slavonian oak barrels (50 and\u003cbr\u003e100hl).\u003cbr\u003e• Exclusively Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)\u003cbr\u003e• All grapes are hand-harvested, hand-selected, and hand-sorted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout La Pieve:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLa Pieve comes from the estate's southeast-facing vineyard at 350 meters above sea level near Castelnuovo dell'Abate. The vines grow on slopes between two hills, sheltered from the wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2018 Vineyard \u0026amp; Winemaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMade from 100% Sangiovese Grosso from vines averaging 20 years of age. Grapes are harvested by hand and selected on a sorting table, with yields limited to 50 quintals per hectare. Soft pressing is followed by temperature-controlled fermentation at 30°C and 15 days of maceration. The wine ages for at least 24 months in 50-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels, followed by eight months in bottle before release. Alcohol: 14.5%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRatings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Taking on a darker profile, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino La Pieve is lush with warming baking spice, black cherry, anise, and cedar. Full-bodied, with a well-structured balance of ripe tannins and a dark mineral profile, it reveals notes of black raspberry, turned soil, and black licorice. A wonderfully brooding style, it also maintains sweet fruit to balance its savory richness. Drink 2025-2040.\" - Audrey Frick (Mar 2023)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Vinous Media:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Crushed stones and violet pastille blow off to reveal vividly ripe strawberry and blueberry fruit as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve smolders up from the glass. This is silky-smooth and suave, with depths of ripe red and black berries carried across a core of brisk acidity. There is ample depth and length to the finale, along with classic tannins, leaving lavender-tinged plum and hints of cocoa to slowly fade. The 2018 La Pieve is a real charmer. Drinking Window: 2025-2033.\" - Eric Guido (Dec 2022)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Spectator:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Deep and savory, this red exhibits black cherry, blackberry, eucalyptus, rosemary, iron and earth flavors. Showing assertive tannins, this finishes with a chewy, compact feel. Best from 2025 through 2042. 583 cases made, 250 cases imported.\" - Bruce Sanderson (Jun 2023)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - James Suckling:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This has aromas of cherry stones, plums, nutmeg, cedar and some balsamic. It’s full-bodied with tangy acidity and spicy, fleshy layers of fruit, accompanied by sinewy tannins. A little linear. Chewy finish.\" (Nov 2022)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BREAKTHRU","offers":[{"title":"750 ml","offer_id":67703326736749,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0481\/8940\/7391\/files\/la-gerla-la-pieve-brunello-2018-bottle.png?v=1792281885","url":"https:\/\/artisan.wine\/products\/la-gerla-brunello-di-montalcino-la-pieve-docg-2018tuscany-italy","provider":"Artisan W\u0026S","version":"1.0","type":"link"}