La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino

La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino is a 100% Sangiovese Grosso red wine from Tuscany's Montalcino DOC, bottled at approximately 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from the same prized vineyard sites used for La Gerla's Brunello di Montalcino, this expression earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast on its 2020 vintage, underscoring its quality as a serious Rosso rather than a simple second wine.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14%  |  Origin: Montalcino DOC, Tuscany, Italy  |  Style: Rosso di Montalcino DOC  |  Winemaker: Vittorio Fiore

Production & Heritage

La Gerla is a small estate in Montalcino whose vineyards sit among the appellation's most respected parcels. Under the guidance of winemaker Vittorio Fiore, the Rosso di Montalcino is made from declassified Brunello — meaning fruit that follows the same strict viticultural standards as the estate's top-tier Brunello di Montalcino. The grapes undergo pre-fermentative cryomaceration followed by approximately 15 days of skin contact, with fermentation carried out at a controlled 30°C in stainless steel vats. The wine then ages for 12 months in large Slavonian oak casks, a deliberate choice that preserves Sangiovese Grosso's aromatic purity while adding subtle textural depth. Total aging spans two years before release, giving the wine more structure than many peers in the Rosso di Montalcino category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with inviting wild berries and Marasca cherry, followed by violet and blue flower notes. Beneath the fruit sit subtle accents of dried herbs, orange peel, and a whisper of pine resin.

Taste: The entry is juicy and medium-bodied, with ripe red cherry and blood orange arriving first. The mid-palate develops a savory dimension — star anise, white pepper, and a dusty mineral quality — supported by polished, well-integrated tannins. Fresh acidity keeps the fruit focused and bright throughout.

Finish: The finish is clean and moderately persistent, with lingering red fruit and a delicate baking-spice quality. Tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a balanced, slightly saline impression.

How to Drink La Gerla Rosso

This wine shows its best character slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), poured into a standard Bordeaux-shaped glass. It needs no decanting, though 20–30 minutes of air can further soften the tannins on younger vintages.

• Pasta al ragù: The wine's bright acidity and cherry-driven fruit cut through rich, slow-cooked meat sauces without overwhelming the dish.
• Grilled lamb chops: Sangiovese Grosso's savory, herbal undertones mirror the charred herb crust on roasted or grilled lamb.
• Aged pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano: The wine's fine tannins and acidity balance the salt and fat of hard Italian cheeses.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners that deserve a wine above everyday table-red quality
• Introducing Sangiovese Grosso to someone exploring Tuscan wine for the first time
• Gifting a Brunello lover a versatile, drink-now bottle from a respected Montalcino estate
• Building a cellar collection of Montalcino producers across both Rosso and Brunello tiers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Gerla Rosso taste like? It delivers juicy Marasca cherry, blood orange, and wild berry flavors on a medium-bodied frame, accented by white pepper, dried herbs, and polished tannins. Fresh acidity gives it a lively, balanced profile that finishes clean.

How does La Gerla Rosso compare to Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino? Both are 100% Sangiovese Grosso from Montalcino, but La Gerla is a smaller-production estate that specifically uses declassified Brunello fruit aged in Slavonian oak, which tends to produce a more structured, aromatic wine. Caparzo's Rosso is a widely available benchmark, while La Gerla positions as a more artisanal expression within the same DOC.

Is La Gerla Rosso good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of fruit, acidity, and moderate tannins makes it an easy wine to enjoy without food, particularly at cool cellar temperature around 16–18°C.

Where is La Gerla Rosso made? La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino is produced at the La Gerla estate in Montalcino, within the province of Siena in Tuscany, Italy. The wine carries the Rosso di Montalcino DOC designation, which requires the grapes to be grown entirely within the Montalcino commune.

What foods pair well with La Gerla Rosso? Slow-braised beef or pork ragu benefits from the wine's acidity cutting through richness. Grilled sausages with fennel echo its herbal, peppery notes. Margherita pizza is a classic Sangiovese pairing due to the tomato-acid synergy. Wild mushroom risotto complements the wine's earthy undertones. Aged pecorino Toscano matches its tannin structure and savory finish.

What sizes does La Gerla Rosso come in? La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is La Gerla Rosso worth the price? La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino positions as a mid-range Rosso — above entry-level Montalcino options yet accessible enough for regular enjoyment. Its use of declassified Brunello fruit from the same vineyard sites as the estate's top wine, combined with 12 months of Slavonian oak aging, represents strong value within the DOC.

Why La Gerla Rosso?

What separates this Rosso from many in the category is its origin: declassified Brunello fruit from the same vineyard parcels that produce La Gerla's flagship wine. The 91-point score from Wine Enthusiast on the 2020 vintage confirms that this is not merely a lighter afterthought but a serious Montalcino red in its own right. The combination of pre-fermentative cryomaceration and Slavonian oak aging — rather than the smaller French barriques favored by some modernist producers — preserves Sangiovese Grosso's varietal character while adding a layer of textural complexity. For anyone who appreciates Brunello but wants an expressive, drink-now Montalcino Sangiovese, La Gerla's Rosso consistently delivers above its weight class.