2001 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto

My girlfriend brought a magnum of 2001 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto in her suitcase to Seoul for Chinese New Year celebrations. And it was fabulous.

This is a wine that I originally scored 100 points and it remains a perfect wine. However, it did surprise me when we drank it at a European style restaurant called Gastro Tong with some pretty stiff competition such as 2000 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva and 2000 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata Torriglione.

The nose of the wine was breathtaking with aromas of dark berries, aniseed, meat, and mint. It was full and soft with such beauty. The tannins were totally resolved now and caressed the palate. It lasted for minutes on the palate. It was phenomenal. It was decanted about two hours before serving. 100 points.

What surprised me was how drinkable it was. The 2001 Brunellos have been very tight and slightly unforgiving until now. And I wonder how the other top wines of the vintage are showing? In any case, the 2001 Cerretalto is a beautiful Brunello for current drinking now – finally.