Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino "White Label" DOCG 2017
(Tuscany, Italy) - [TWI 96] [WA 94+] [WS 93] [VM 92]

About the Winery:

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. 

Notes from the Winemaker:
The White Label Brunello, the first wine of the estate, has been produced since 1978. The area was considered less desirable because it was deemed too cool for proper ripening. Over time, climate change has worked in Neri’s favor, as the Cerretalto vineyard with its natural amphitheater overlooking the Asso River now has no problem reaching optimum ripeness.

Vineyard acquisition has been a continuing goal for the Neris, and the estate has grown to include seven different vineyards in various parts of the denomination, totaling 156 acres of vines along with forested tracts, arable fields, and 50 acres of olive trees. The vineyards have been planted or replanted mostly with cuttings propagated from old Sangiovese vines in the Cerretalto vineyard that produced distinctive, high-quality fruit.

96 Points - The Wine Independent:
"This 2017 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino has a very young looking, opaque, blue-toned ruby color. The nose is open and appealing with black cherry fruit but also some lighter red fruit notes and what feels like a lighter oak regime which adds some less heavy, attractive spice notes. On the palate there is a note of dark, charred oak and a tar note but this combines attractively with lovely blue-flower, black-purple berried fruit and firm tannins. An ambitious, muscular and powerful style from the hot, dry 2017 vintage but with a very appealing new lightness of touch.  Drink 2023-2038." - SH (5/28/23)

94+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The Casanova di Neri 2017 Brunello di Montalcino delivers unexpected grace and a floral profile that is not common to find in this scorching-hot and dry vintage. In faithful Casanova di Neri fashion, the wine is bold and dark in appearance, and although the bouquet is dominated by purple and black fruits, there is a brief interlude of fresh garden rose or lilac. That little moment changes up the momentum of this wine in a most positive way by allowing for a harmony of low tones and high tones that are well matched here. The wine is robust, structured and velvety to the palate, but ultimately this expression is far more delicate than I would have ever expected for a 2017 Brunello. This is a nice surprise." - Monica Larner (2/17/22)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This fleshy red is introduced by graphite, mint and wild herb aromas, with plum and cherry flavors as the main themes and earth, tobacco and underbrush notes in supporting roles. Balanced, ending in a savory aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2043. 7,916 cases made, 2,000 cases imported." - BS (web only 2022)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"Dusty florals, musky cherry and raspberry with hints of mentholated herbs waft up from the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino. This is enveloping and soft, with sweet exotic spices and juicy, vibrant acidity giving way to tart wild berries and rosy inner florals. There’s amazing length, hard red candies and violets, and sweet tannin that goes on and on, creating a somewhat chewy yet also fresh expression. The 2017 benefits from all of the fruit that would usually go into the single-vineyard Cerretalto Brunello, though even with it, production is down by 35%. That said, this is stunning juice." - Eric Guido (Dec 2021)