Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto
I had the absolute pleasure to attend THE Benvenuto Brunello 2013 event this past Monday in Montalcino and taste many of the newly released Brunellos. WAY too many to talk about in one post but I promise to report all my findings soon.
As the icing on the cake we stopped in at Casanova di Neri on our way back to Cortona, where I literally was RUINED for all other Riserva Brunellos 2007. And trust me, I tried some really good ones.
All of the Casanova di Neri Brunellos are fantastic, from the Rosso di Montalcino to the Brunello to the Tenuta Nuova. I wish I would have had more time to savor them instead of being jostled around and fighting my way through the crowd to taste each one. But, that’s what you get for going on the last day of Benvenuto Brunello in the late afternoon with the rest of the crowd!
In the very slim chance that you don’t know why you should be so impressed by Casanova di Neri, in 2006 they won Wine Spectator’s pick for #1 wine in the world bringing them into the limelight where they have continued to stay producing consistently highly rated Brunellos.
I’ll admit I wasn’t completely familiar with Casanova di Neri except that they get extremely high points for their wines, have a beautiful winery on the hillside as you drive up to Montalcino and mostly are out of my price range. I had tasted their Brunello a few years ago and enjoyed it but with all the other Brunellos available here I didn’t feel overly compelled to have it again.
Until now.
The Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto 2007 is absolutely spectacular. A deep chocolaty fruit bomb that is velvety and sophisticated while knocking you off your socks. Literally. I wanted to sit down and have a very private moment with this wine, it’s that good. This is definitely a new age Brunello made by someone who isn’t afraid of oak but also knows how to master it. Apparently I’m not the only one who likes this wine, James Suckling happens to agree with me (as he usually does) and gave the Cerretalto 2007 a 97. At the price point of close to $200 a bottle, excuse me while I take a moment to wipe a tear.
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