Casanova di Neri is among the most esteemed producers of Italian wine in Tuscany.
It all began in 1971 with a passion and a purpose. Giovanni Neri, in search of the perfect vineyard, purchased a large estate in Montalcino. Seven years (and three additional land purchases) later, the first Brunello harvest marked the beginning of an era of excellence—one that is not expected to conclude anytime soon. Casanova de Neri swiftly built a reputation as one of the best wineries in the region—high praise indeed for vintners hailing from Tuscany.
Casanova de Neri wines are long-lived and reliably exquisite; several vintages received top marks over the years from even the most critical reviewers. With a tendency to evolve and appreciate as they age, these wines make the perfect addition to any cellar.
Consistently Superb Brunello di Montalcino Wines from Tuscany
Casanova di Neri’s estate, as it stands today, encompasses about 500 hectares of land, 63 of which are divided between seven vineyards: Cerretalto, Le Cetine, Pietradonice, Fiesole, Poderuccio, Spereta, and Podernuovo.
Most of these vineyards are on east-facing slopes with the exceptions of Le Cetine and Pietradonice, which are more southerly-oriented. The vineyard soils are largely composed of galestro, with hints of tuff, clay, alluvium stone, iron, and magnesium.
These factors along with the climate in Montalcino—one of the warmest and driest in the region—create full-bodied grapes that ripen easily and yield wines that balance structure and acidity. The vast majority of the grapes grown on these slopes are Sangiovese, accompanied by small amounts of other varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon.
Casanova di Neri is not only one of the best wine producers in Tuscany; they are of the most prolific, releasing over 200,000 bottles a year. Today Casanova di Neri is most revered for its Brunello di Montalcino wines.
The Best Casanova di Neri Vintages
A good Brunello will always have excellent longevity, and with decades of aging potential, Casanova di Neri’s wines are no exception. These wines are made solely from grapes grown on the producer’s vineyards. They are typically full-bodied and often feature dark fruit, floral, and smoky notes on the nose and palate. Below is a list of some of the best Casanova di Neri vintages to date, along with their Wine Advocate ratings as well as scores from James Suckling.
| Wine | Wine Advocate Rating | James Suckling Rating | Tasting Notes | Drinking Window |
| 2010 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto | 100 | 100 | Powerful, precisely balanced. Bold cherry, blackberry, and licorice notes laced with smoke and cedar and underscored with crushed mineral. | 2019-2039 |
| 2010 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova | 100 | 100 | Aromatic and elegant, with a smooth mouthfeel. Dark fruit mixed with spice, tobacco, and minerals. | 2018-2031 |
| 2006 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto | 99 | 99 | Cherries, herbs, spice, and warm leather combined with a compelling complexity and depth—and plenty of potential to evolve as it ages. | 2016-2029 |
| 1990 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Riserva | 99 | N/A | Intensity and razor-sharp precision, with strong aromatics. Notes of dark fruit, licorice, and cherry soda mixed with rosemary, sage, and ginger. | 2018-2030 |
| 2015 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto | 98 | 100 | Flashy and multifaceted, with bracing acidity and freshness. Ripe red fruits and berries, spice, root beer, cedar, and mesquite, with a touch of crème de cassis. | 2024-2050 |
| 2015 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova | 98 | 99 | A summery selection of blackberry, plum, cherry, leather, and spice, all wrapped up in a pleasantly structured vintage with mineral undertones. | 2023-2041 |
| 2012 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto | 98 | 97 | Profoundly elegant and complex, with “effortless precision.” Expect notes of succulent cherry and spice, along with hints of chocolate, licorice, and graphite. | 2025-2040 |
| 2004 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto | 98 | 98 | Rich and plump, with sweet black fruits, dark chocolate, and cured tobacco seasoned with exotic spices, smoke, and flint. | 2013-2025 |
| 2016 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova | 97 | 99 | A creamy, aromatic wine that seems to evolve and unfold into something more complex with each passing moment. Notes of cherry, rose, black truffle, butterscotch, sandalwood, and chalky minerals—just to name a few. | 2024-2048 |
| 2013 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto | 97 | 97 | A beautifully, deeply intense wine that demands adequate cellar time. Notes of black fruit framed with tobacco, toasted oak, and smoky spices. | 2022-2038 |
Each of these vintages expresses not only the unique Tuscan terroirs from which they originate but also the producer’s passion for cultivating the perfect environment to craft superlative Sangiovese wines.
Building a Collection of Casanova di Neri Wines
Like many of the best things in life, a good Brunello di Montalcino wine requires patience—many require up to 20 years or more to mature, with some rarer vintages aging well for up to half a century. Brunello is also one of the most collectible and coveted wines on the market, with Casanova di Neri’s label among those likely to appreciate over time—in some cases, exponentially.
In other words, a Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino makes for an excellent investment, whether you intend to drink or resell.
But in order to protect that investment, it’s vital to take a few precautions. To preserve your wine’s provenance, you may wish to purchase it directly from the producer and limit the number of hands and miles your wine must cross to reach its destination. Ex-château wines are also typically sold at, or close to, maturity, meaning you won’t have to wait quite as long to drink or to sell. If you plan to buy multiple bottles, you may also wish to purchase case quantities, as this option often costs less per bottle than individual purchases.
Upon receiving your wine, if the time is not yet right to pop the cork or set a price, your best option will be to take advantage of professional storage solutions. This way, regardless of whether your wine will take a couple of years or a couple of decades to fully mature, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing it is stored in optimal conditions.
Whether you are starting your high-end wine collection or adding to an established portfolio, Vinfolio is your partner in buying, selling, and professional storage. Contact us today to get access to the world’s finest wine.
