La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve DOCG 2019
(Tuscany, Italy) - [DM 95] [WE 95] [JD 95] [VM 94] [JS 91]

About the Winery: 
This 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.

• Land was purchased by Sergio Rossi in 1976 and is now managed by Rossi's
wife, Donatella Monforte.
• The property extends over a total of 11.5ha and is complemented with
modern cellars equipped with the latest technological advancements,
however their Brunello is aged traditionally in Slavonian oak barrels (50 and
100hl).
• Exclusively Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)
• All grapes are hand-harvested, hand-selected, and hand-sorted.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Planted in 1997, La Pieve is a single vineyard in Montalcino’s southeast. The estate waited until the vines were a mature 20 years old before releasing this separate bottling, the first release being the 2017 vintage. This 2019 is the finest thus far. As it emerges from its shell, orange, cedar and liquorice bark rise from the glass. Mellowed and understated in its brambly fruit, it focuses its expression on savoury forest and exotic tea nuances. Full, yet nimbly poised and structured with commanding tannins, the finish is elevated by a salty mineral tang." – Michaela Morris (Nov 2023)

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Intense, enticing aromas of burnt caramel, sea salt, dark chocolate and crushed herbs evolve into dark berries, brambles and earth before opening onto a palate of black cherries, dirt and more herbs, stitched together by dense tannins and lit up with acid before a warming finish." - Danielle Callegari (Jul 2025)

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The deep ruby/red 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino La Pieve is generous in its perfume of raspberry coulis, candied roses, sweet Mediterranean herbs, and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, it has good concentration, with angular, snappy acidity, ripe tannins, and a long finish. It’s an impressive wine that deserves time in the cellar. Drink 2026-2046.” – Audrey Frick (Feb 2024)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve opens with a mentholated freshness, blending dust rose with crushed stones and dried cherries. This displays silky textures contrasted by cooling acidity and minerals as tart red fruits slowly saturate. The 2019 leaves the palate caked in edgy tannins as it takes on a balsamic tinge and traces of clove slowly fade. La Pieve displays a classic feel yet also a hulking structural core. Bury your bottles deep.” – Eric Guido (Dec 2023)

91 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromas of cherries, mushrooms and bark with some nutmeg. The palate shows plum, peach skin and citrus with some cedar. Medium body. Medium finish. Drink in a year or two.” (Sep 2023)