The 1999 Brunello di Montalcino is a good example of the house style with its red currant fruit, notes of caramel, leather, and game, and long, firm, well textured flavors with a rising level of intensity on the finish. Drink: 2005-2015. La Gerla has three important things going for it – owner Luigi Rossi, who arrived in Montalcino over thirty years ago, Vittorio Fiore, for three decades a major force in Tuscany as a winemaking consultant, and cellar master (cellar mistress?) Marisa Raffelli. The wines are a middle of the road style for Montalcino, well concentrated but with the roundness that the vineyards of the hamlet of Canalicchio seem to give to Sangiovese. Importer: Country Vintner, Oilville, VA; tel. (800) 365-9463

Textbook Brunello with complex, yet subtle aromas of cherries, tobacco, cedar and spices. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a fresh and delicious finish. Excellent wine from this producer. Better than the 1997. Best from 2005 through 2010. 2,000 cases made, 100 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add