Wine Advocate 93 points - Good full, deep red. Slightly decadent aromas of plum, redcurrant, mocha, marzipan, leather and underbrush. Rich, broad and fairly dry; offers a mouthfilling plumpness without obvious weight. This very silky and seamless wine seems somehow less than the sum of its parts today as there's nothing obvious to grab hold of yet, but I like its subtle sweetness. Its persistent, smoothly tannic finish suggests it should evolve slowly, even if it's already presentable. A very good performance for this estate.
The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a gorgeous bouquet of dark raspberries, flowers, tobacco and French oak, that melds seamlessly onto the palate, where this sweet, layered wine reveals its considerable pedigree. Deceptively medium in body, this expansive, vibrant wine offers tons of fruit supported by ripe, firm tannins. The finish is long, sweet and fresh. La Gerla's Brunello will benefit from a few additional years in bottle, after which it should drink well to age 20, if not considerably longer. It is a gem. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. La Gerla is one of Montalcino's historic estates and owns vineyards in various zones within the region.
