Brunello Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli 2015
DOCG, La Gerla, 1500 ml
Description
The angels watch over it: this exceptional wine is only vinified in the best years from the oldest vineyard of the Tuscan winery La Gerla. Some vines stand just below the winery next to an old chapel dedicated to the angels - "gli angeli". What can we say: with its complex aromas, its ultra-fine tannins, its elegance and extraordinary length, this Brunello really seems to have been kissed by the angels! The small winery is located 320 metres above sea level directly on the hill of Montalcino and has become one of the most recognised producers in the region in just a few years.
Attributes
| Grape variety: | Sangiovese Grosso |
| Producer: | Fattoria La Gerla / Sergio Rossi |
| Origin: | Italy / Toscana / Brunello di Montalcino |
| Other vintages: | 2018 |
| Ripening potential: | 4 to 15 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 16 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Brasato di manzo al Barolo, Coq au vin, Tagliatelle al tartufo, Wild fowl, Bistecca fiorentina, T-Bone steak, Châteaubriand, Filet Wellington |
| Vinification: | soft pressing |
| Harvest: | hand-picking, strict selection |
| Maturation: | in large wooden barrel/foudre, in used barriques, some months bottle storage before sale |
| Bottling: | filtration |
| Volume: | 14.0 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Fattoria La Gerla / Sergio Rossi
Standing on La Gerla's terrace, one's view sweeps over Montalcino's peaceful landscape with its hills, vineyards, slim cypresses, and estates scattered all around. Nestled in the Colli Senesi to the south of Siena, the area comprises approx. 2000 hectares (up from just sixty hectares 50 years ago!).
The area is subject to a drier climate than the Chianti region and sees larger differences in temperature between days and nights. The Monte Amiata shields the area from storms approaching from the coast. The sangiovese grosso or brunello, as it is locally known, enjoys optimum maturing conditions. This fosters the development of full-bodied and rather heavy wines full of extract.
La Gerla owns 11.5 hectares, of which 6.5 lie in the northeast, close to Canalicchio, north of the small town of Montalcino. The remaining vineyards lie in the southeast close to Castelnuovo. La Gerla's wines profit from these varied sites. Similarly to the Chianti region, the northern grounds are composed of calciferous marl and are likewise called galestro. Those in the south entail a higher proportion of clay and are partially comprised of volcanic tuff. Thus, the wines created from these differ and complement each other optimally in the finished cuvée.
La Gerla belongs to the lost of renowned and internationally acclaimed estates. Apart from the Brunello di Montalcino we recommend also the Rosso di Montalcino, which is slightly lighter and spends less time developing in the barrel, and the Birba, which ripens in the barrel for about 12 months. Both wines offer earlier drinking enjoyment in comparison to the Brunello. The single vineyard Brunello Gli Angeli is sourced from the eldest vines only in exceptional vintages and destined for long aging. Last but not least, La Gerla's olive oil and their grappa are an excellent complement to the assortment.
Sangiovese Grosso
Sangiovese in its most powerful expression
Sangiovese Grosso, also known as Brunello, is an important variant of Sangiovese that has established itself around Montalcino in southern Tuscany. The combination of a warm climate, higher-altitude vineyards and mineral-rich soils gives it its distinctive character. The grapes are generally slightly larger and have thicker skins than classic Sangiovese, resulting in greater structure, depth and ageing potential. This produces powerful and complex wines. Aromatically, it is layered and expressive, showing ripe cherries, dark berries and plums, complemented by violets, herbs and spices. With age, it often develops additional nuances of leather, tobacco, earth and balsamic notes.
Italy
Italy – Where wine is a way of life
The Italian wine regions are extremely diverse, and this is made clear in their wines. Established varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, and Sauvignon can be found on just 15 percent of the total vine growing area. The remaining 85 percent is reserved for autochthonous, indigenous varieties. More than 2,000 different grape varieties are grown under diverse conditions and pressed with various techniques into wines that reach the top tier of the international wine market.
