I just returned from Montalcino and dropped by La Gerla to taste some of my favorite 2006’s and see how the 2007 is doing after being in the bottle for a bit (it was insanely good!) but the wine that really struck me how good it was and how eminently drinkable it is, is the 2005! The 2005 vintage is really good, unfortunately it is sandwiched between two cellar worthy vintages of 2004 and 2006 and never got the praise or consideration it should have. La Gerla’s wine is made from vineyards from just underneath Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the southeastern corner of Montalcino on beautifully sloping vineyards facing to the southwest and is blended with those which surround the winery on the Versante Senese, Montalcino’s Siena facing slope. La Gerla’s superb single vineyard Vigna gli Angeli is sited at the winery and this old vineyard made two of the top wines of 2004 the single vineyard as well as a single vineyard Riserva! However in 2005 the winery blended this gorgeous vineyard into the flagship wine and the results will impress you. I love the warm, rich fruit that fills your mouth from this wine but it isn’t fat or sweet it is just palate density, while it still has the classic length that Sangiovese gives and the spice and wild cherry aromatics from the Versante Senese. This 2005 is drinkable now and will still age another decade easily showing at this bargain price you should definitely stock up!