The producer
Grain-merchant, Giovanni Neri, founded Casanova di Neri in 1971 at the 200 ha Podere Casanova on the eastern side of the region. The first Brunello di Montalcino was produced in 1978. In 1991, son Giacomo takes over the running of the winery. In 1993, the first harvest of Sangiovese fruit from the Le Cetine vineyard in southern Montalcino is harvested – and in 1998 the 1993 single vineyard Brunello ‘Tenuta Nuova’ (produced from fruit from Le Cetine vineyard) is released to rave reviews.
Years later, in 2006, Wine Spectator awards ‘Tenuta Nuova’ its “Wine of the Year” award. Casanova di Neri is widely known as a more international or modern style of Brunello di Montalcino, characterised by concentrated luscious dark fruit, fine tannins and succulent velvety oak complexity. We will be offering three of Casanova di Neri’s outstanding wines.
The wine
Produced since 1978, Casanova di Neri’s Brunello is often called ‘the white label’ in order to avoid confusion with the other wines. ‘The white label’ is derived from 20- to 50-year-old vines growing at 300-480 metres altitude in the north and northeast of Montalcino. Fermentation and maceration take place in conical steel vats for 25 days and is followed by 42 months of ageing in oak barrels, finally followed by 6 months ageing in bottles. Taut red fruit concentration with soft and silky tannins, energetic freshness, and a long and elegant finish characterizes this wildly popular wine.