Casanova di Neri, Brunello di Montalcino White Label, Tuscany, Italy, 2018

Overview of the Wine
Casanova di Neri farm was founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri following the purchase of an estate in the Montalcino area.Since the founder's passing in 1991, his son Giacomo has headed the company, managing the vineyards and the cellar himself, now assisted by his sons Giovanni and Gianlorenzo, an example of continuity in the family tradition. Since the beginning, Casanova di Neri’s philosophy has been based on zonation and pursuing the best terroirs to research and enjoy the best vineyards of the Montalcino area in order to produce unique and distinctive wines, with great character.Today the 75 hectares of vineyards are divided into six distinct areas that originate unique terroirs: Pietradonice south-east of Montalcino, Cetine to the south, Cerretalto to the east, and Fiesoe north-east, this vineyard is located near the winery and homonymous cottage in front of Montalcino, and the Podernuovo which boasts the highest position on the farm, at 480 meters above sea level.

The cellar is partially underground and allows the grapes and wine to be processed by gravity. The two storage spaces for thebarrels and the room for agingin bottles are entirely underground with naturally constant humidity and temperature. The property is set in amazingly beautiful countryside and respects the surrounding landscape.The excellent quality of the vineyards, the discipline and utmost care for the vines, blended with our passion and experience have resulted in the production of unique wines of great character, with their own well-defined style, never conditioned by fleeting tastes and fashions. Over the years, the combination of all these elements has brought a continuous string of accolades by the most important national and international opinion leaders.

Casanova di Neri now produces eight labels. Three are Brunello wines, each with its own characteristics: White Label Brunello, Brunello Tenuta Nuova and Cerretalto Brunello, along with Rosso di Montalcino, Irrosso, Pietradonice, Ibbiano and Irrosè

Grape / Blend
Sangiovese

Origin
Tuscany, Italy

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Translucent and bright ruby red color. Its appealing and fascinating nose immediately reveals the freshness of the vintage 2018 followed by hues of nutmeg and crisp red berries. On the palate it is well-hatched, generous and measured at the same time. It shows overall great balance between tannic texture and acidity. Perfectly enjoyable even young.

94 Points - Wine Spectator
A bright, fruity style, this red offers cherry, strawberry, currant, white pepper and mineral flavors. Reveals almond and earth accents as this extends on the finish. Features fine balance and mouthwatering length. Best from 2025 through 2042.

94 Points - Ian Blackburn
One of the prettiest efforts in the fresh 2018 vintage of Brunello comes from Casanova di Neri - truly elegant, refined and focused. Exacting tannins are balanced with typically superb CDN fruit intensity. Very stylish in the mouth and prolonged finish - Fun now, but better in 2025 and beyond. Color 14.5/15, Aroma 23.5/25, Body 23.5/25, Overall 33.5/35

93 Points - Vinous
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino keeps me coming back to the glass to take in its pretty bouquet of dusty florals, exotic spices and dried strawberries. This is like pure silk on the palate, seamless and supple, with depths of dark red fruit and mineral tones that add a more tactile feel toward the close. Balsam herbs, cedar and tobacco all resonate throughout the long and dramatic finale, as fine tannins frame the experience with youthful poise. As is often the case, Casanova di Neri is a master at creating one of the region's most balanced and enjoyable “entry-level” Brunellos.

92 Points - James Suckling
Lots of clean cherry and plummy character to the nose and palate. Medium- to full-bodied with dense, chewy tannins and a long finish. Lovely freshness of fruit here, but give the tannins a year or two to sink in. 40th anniversary bottling. Best from 2024.

91 Points - Decanter
Celebrating its 40th anniversary with this 2018 release, Casanova di Neri’s ‘Etichetta Bianca’ has been made since 1978. It blends fruit from plots in the Torrenieri area, where the estate was first established. Tasted five months after bottling, the 2018 is still emerging from its wood-ageing cocoon. Cedar and grilled meat eventually give way to wild mountain blossoms. It's angular at this stage as nervous acidity, granular tannins and polished oak wrap around sinewy fruit - it needs time to come together but shows promise on the finish, signing off with juicy cherry and enticing truffle.

Product size: 750ml