Italy · Tuscany

Casanova di Neri

Casanova di Neri is one of Montalcino's most highly regarded estates, propelled to international fame when its Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino was awarded 100 points by Wine Spectator in 2006 — the first Italian wine ever to achieve this score. The estate was founded by Giovanni Neri in 1971 and today is run by his son Giacomo, whose ambition and focus on individual vineyard expression has taken the estate to the top tier. The estate owns 62 hectares of vineyards across several parcels, with the flagship Cerretalto coming from an 8-hectare plot of galestro and clay soils. The Tenuta Nuova Brunello — the estate wine — is also exceptional, showing rich, ripe Sangiovese character with excellent structure. Giacomo Neri's style emphasises ripe, concentrated fruit with smooth tannins that make the wines more approachable young than much of Montalcino, without sacrificing aging potential. The estate also produces an excellent Rosso di Montalcino. At auction, Casanova di Neri's top wines are among the most actively traded from Montalcino, with the Cerretalto from the 2001 and other great vintages commanding prices that reflect its singular critical recognition.