2017 La Spinetta Il Nero Di Casanova Sangiovese Terre di Pisa, Tuscany

2017 La Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova Sangiovese is a vibrant and characterful expression of Tuscan Sangiovese from the emerging Terre di Pisa area, crafted with the same precision and personality that has made La Spinetta one of Italy’s most recognisable producers. The Casanova estate lies near Terricciola in western Tuscany, where rolling hills, warm Mediterranean influences and clay and limestone rich soils give Sangiovese both ripeness and freshness. This area sits slightly closer to the coast than Chianti Classico, allowing greater aromatic lift and softer tannins while still retaining structure.

La Spinetta was founded by the Rivetti family in Piedmont and rose to fame through its iconic Barbaresco wines before expanding into Tuscany in the early 2000s. Giorgio Rivetti, one of Italy’s most dynamic and detail focused winemakers, brought a bold yet disciplined approach to the Casanova estate, focusing on low yields, meticulous vineyard work and expressive winemaking that highlights fruit purity and texture. Il Nero di Casanova is his interpretation of pure Sangiovese outside the constraints of traditional appellations, bottled under the Terre di Pisa designation to allow freedom in vineyard selection and style.

The 2017 vintage was warm and dry, producing wines of concentration and depth. In the glass Il Nero di Casanova shows a deep ruby colour. Aromas are generous and layered, offering sour cherry, ripe red plum, violet, dried herbs and subtle spice, with a hint of balsamic and earth. The palate is medium to full bodied and supple, delivering vibrant red fruit, polished tannins and a fresh, savoury finish that keeps the wine lively and food friendly despite its richness. It pairs beautifully with pasta dishes, roast pork, lamb, tomato based cuisine and aged cheeses, and it has the balance to age gracefully for ten to fifteen years, gaining more savoury, leathery and earthy complexity over time.

2017 La Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova Sangiovese is a confident and expressive Tuscan red, combining modern polish with the unmistakable soul of Sangiovese, and offering a compelling glimpse into the future potential of the Terre di Pisa region.