2018 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany

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.

92 points jamessuckling.com

The Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino is one of Tuscany’s most acclaimed wines, an icon that perfectly captures the elegance, depth and longevity of Sangiovese Grosso grown in Montalcino. Founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri, the estate is now led by his son Giacomo Neri, a visionary winemaker who has elevated Casanova di Neri to cult status worldwide. Their vineyards are scattered across some of the finest terroirs in Montalcino, including the legendary Tenuta Nuova and Cerretalto sites, with soils ranging from clay and limestone to galestro schist. This patchwork of terroirs gives the Brunello remarkable complexity and finesse.

In the glass, it shows deep garnet with ruby highlights. The nose is rich and layered, offering aromas of ripe cherry, wild strawberry, plum and dried rose, supported by tobacco leaf, cedar, leather and sweet spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet refined, combining ripe red fruit with earthy savoury notes, graphite and balsamic hints. Firm, polished tannins and lively acidity provide the backbone, while the finish is long, elegant and mineral-driven. This is Brunello in its most sophisticated form: structured for ageing yet captivating in youth.

Food pairings highlight the wine’s power and elegance. Classic matches include bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, roast duck or aged pecorino Toscano. With 15 to 20 years of cellaring potential, it develops truffle, tobacco and dried herb complexity while retaining its core of red fruit purity.

Casanova di Neri’s Brunellos consistently receive critical acclaim, with Wine Spectator, James Suckling and Robert Parker often awarding scores in the high 90s. The estate is also no stranger to trophies and “wine of the year” accolades, with the Cerretalto and Tenuta Nuova bottlings frequently lauded as some of the greatest Brunellos ever made.