In Case You Missed It – Casanova di Neri 1999, 2005, 2006

In Case You Missed It: Originally posted December 13, 2010

Casanova di Neri established itself in the last 15 years as one of the leaders of Brunello di Montalcino, the famous Tuscan red and pure Sangiovese. Under the helm of Giacomo Neri, his 138-acres of vineyards produce dense yet elegant wines with beautiful polish and complexity. Neri, whose family bought the property in the early 1970s, makes three Brunellos: simple white label, Tenuta Nova, and single vineyard Cerretalto. The last two are his serious reds. He also makes a pure Cabernet Sauvignon called Pietradonice. Last August, I walked his vineyards and tasted his wines.  If you’re lucky enough to drink Cerretalto, be ready for a powerful and ultra-polished red, while the Tenuta Nova is a little richer and more decadent. Giacomo thinks that his 2006 Brunelli may be his best ever, and compares the structure to 1999, but with more finesse.

Ratings:

2007 Pietradonce: 96 points

2006 Etichetta Bianca: 92 points

2006 Tenuta Nuova: 97 points

2006 Cerretalto: 97 points 

2005 Etichetta Bianca: 90 points

2005 Tenuta Nuova: 93 points

2001 Tenuta Nuova: 97 points

2001 Cerretalto: 100 points

1999 Tenuta Nuova: 96 points

1999 Cerretalto: 98 points