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CASANOVA DI NERI

TUSCANY

CASANOVA DI NERI

TUSCANY

ABOUT THE WINERY

Sitting next to the infinity pool at Casanova di Neri’s new on-property relais and gazing up at the silhouette of the hill town of Montalcino less than 3 miles away, it’s pretty easy to start dreaming about becoming a Brunello producer yourself. Giovanni Neri had that dream 50 years ago, although he didn’t have the infinity pool at the time. Neri wanted to establish a new winery here in one of the most hallowed venues in the Italian wine world, the commune of Montalcino, home of what many consider the best Sangiovese-based wines anywhere—indeed, among the very best Italian wines of any description. 

Even back then, vineyard land in the production zone for Brunello di Montalcino was very expensive and hard to find. But in 1971, Giovanni Neri was able to purchase a plot east of the town—the Cerretalto vineyard—that was less desirable because the area was considered too cool for proper ripening. Understanding the limitations of the location, Neri took a new approach in the viticultural practices, accepting a lower yield in order to achieve top-quality grapes. In 1978 Casanova di Neri produced its first Brunello. Over time, climate change has worked in Neri’s favor, as the Cerretalto vineyard with its natural amphitheater overlooking the Asso River now has no problem reaching optimum ripeness.

Vineyard acquisition has been a continuing goal for the Neris, and the estate has grown to include seven different vineyards in various parts of the denomination, totaling 156 acres of vines along with forested tracts, arable fields, and 50 acres of olive trees. The vineyards have been planted or replanted mostly with cuttings propagated from old Sangiovese vines in the Cerretalto vineyard that produced distinctive, high-quality fruit.

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WINERY LOCATION: Montalcino, Tuscany
REGION: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, IGT Toscana
VINEYARD LAND: 156 acres (63 ha)
FARMING PRACTICES: Sustainable
GRAPE VARIETIES: Sangiovese; smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Colorino
WINE STYLES: Dry red
TOTAL WINE PRODUCTION: 300,000 bottles (225,000 liters)
YEAR FOUNDED: 1971
OWNER(S): Giacomo Neri
WINEMAKER(S): Giacomo Neri and Giovanni Neri

WINES

LOCATION


WINERY:
Montalcino, Tuscany

VINEYARD:
Montalcino, Tuscany

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FEATURED
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NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY



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95
MARCH 2023
Casanova di Neri “Tenuta Nuova” Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018

Here's a treat from Casanova di Neri. Aged in tonneaux for 30 months, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is fleshed out and rich with pretty layers of dark fruit, dried blackberry, spice and cured tobacco. There is a point of sour cherry in this vintage that folds into crushed flower, balsam herb, licorice and crushed stone. The bouquet is classic, but the Casanova di Neri magic touch comes through thanks to the wine's balance and pretty intensity. I can't, however, overlook a powerful 15% alcohol content that leaves its mark. This is a production of 67,740 bottles.

91
JANUARY 2022
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (White Label) 2017

Casanova di Neri’s ‘white label’ is crafted from the estate’s vineyards in Montalcino’s northeast. The 2017 edition also sees grapes from Cerretalto included, which is usually bottled separately. It emerges slowly, giving scents of violets, yellow broom and mint. The palate is currently a bit angular but the core reaches deep. It hints promisingly at cherry, clay, iron and graphite. An intriguing, intricate expression with noteworthy freshness. Give this a year to flesh out.

91
NOVEMBER 2021
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (White Label) 2017

A firm and chewy 2017 that is slightly austere but still provides a lively and dark-fruited palate. Medium to full body. Give this a year or two to soften. Try after 2023.

94
JANUARY 2022
Casanova di Neri Pietradonice Toscana IGT Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The 2018 Pietradonice, a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the south-east of Montalcino, is dark as it grumbles up from the glass, showing dusty rose, currents, cherries and smoke. This is velvety in feel yet wonderfully lifted and fresh, steadily building in tannic heft yet packed full of graphite-like mineral-tinged black fruits and dark inner florals. A hint of sour citrus keeps you coming back for more even as the Pietradonice flexes its structural heft. Give the 2018 five to seven years before attempting to enjoy the full potential buried within.

98
FEBRUARY 2022
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016

Here's an important keepsake from a classic vintage. The Casanova di Neri 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto needs time to open, especially if you plan to drink the wine earlier than is recommended (you're best off waiting five years or more). This powerful wine is packed tight with black fruit, plum and summer ripe cherry. Those dark fruit tones segue to spice, baked clay, balsam herb and gardening soil. The oak is always more apparent in the Cerretalto (which is released one year later, as if it were a Riserva) compared to the Tenuta Nuova. The vineyard used makes a big difference, giving this wine more textural weight and thicker fiber. It's all a question of taste, but if you want power (with 15% alcohol), richness, sensuality and voluptuousness in your Brunello, Cerretalto is the bottle at the end of the rainbow.

94
MARCH 2023
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (White Label) 2018

A bright, fruity style, this red offers cherry, strawberry, currant, white pepper and mineral flavors.  Reveals almond and earth accents as this extends on the finish.  Features fine balance and mouthwatering length.  Best from 2025 through 2042.

96
MARCH 2023
Casanova di Neri "Giovanni Neri" Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018

Here's an exciting and important new addition to the Casanova di Neri portfolio. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is shapely and enriched in an extremely pleasing manner. The Neri family has perfected its approach to concentration and fruit weight over the many years they have been making excellent wines. This wine gives the appearance of being full-bodied, but ultimately, it reveals a very elegant side. Ripe cherry and blackberry cede to oak spice, toast and crushed white stone. The tannins are softly pliable and sweet. Compared to the estate's other wines, Tenuta Nuova and Cerretalto, Giovanni Neri is finer and more delicate, even fragile in personality. Some 5,400 bottles were made in this inaugural release.

98
MARCH 2022
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016

A dense, racy and expressive red, offering black cherry, black currant, violet, iron and a hint of rosemary aromas and flavors. This is driven by vivid acidity and refined tannins, which lend both finesse and length. Features great harmony and elegance. Best from 2025 through 2047.