Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2020

“A complex bouquet with intriguing cherry and blossom aromas, menthol, and spices, the wood perfectly integrated; polished and finely chiseled on the palate, the tightly woven tannins and acidity in balance, and a multifaceted finish that lingers.”

“A jeweled magenta/ruby color, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is perfumed with preserved flowers, kirsch, fresh herbs, sage, and mossy earth. Full and elegant, it offers a silky mouthfeel, ripe tannins, even acidity, and a lovely, pure, concentrated, fresh feel. It's long on the palate, with its mouthwatering salinity and prettier red strawberry-noted perfume lasting on the finish. It's both approachable now and impeccably structured to enjoy over the coming 15-20 years.”

“This is vibrant and fresh with firm, integrated tannins that melt into the wine. Medium-bodied, but with tension, focus and length. A bitter-orange note comes through. Drinkable now, but better in 2026.”

“The Casanova di Neri 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova stands apart in the context of this portfolio. I get a distinctly creamy note that cedes to almond paste, sweet cherry and chalky stone. The wine is open-knit and generous with velvety tannins and no bitterness on the finish. It has the bulk and the fresh fruit concentration for long cellar aging. It is texturally rich, ending with hints of cedar spice and something that reminds me of freshly broken tree branches. Yields were down by about 15% in this vintage. The wine matures in 500-liter barrels for 30 months, and 63,000 bottles were created. In 2020, the Neri family did not make its flagship wine, Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto. Grapes for that wine were directed to the white-label 2020 Brunello di Montalcino instead. It's been exciting to watch an evolution of style underway at this winery that comes with a new generation now fully involved in the cellar. Giacomo Neri's winemaking style focused on more concentration with pump-overs and punch-downs, but sons Giovanni and Gianlorenzo have tweaked the house style to focus on less extraction and more fruit balance instead. They are experimenting with softer cap management, bigger woods and some whole-cluster fermentation (used partially in the Brunello di Montalcino Giovanni Neri, for example). These are very exciting times for the Casanova di Neri brand.”

“Medium-deep in color, the 2020 Tenuta Nuova has aromas of potpourri, cherry liqueur, and game. Spherical on the palate, it's holding the alcohol quite well, although with just a touch of warmth on the finish. The acid is balancing but not at the forefront, with dark fruits and black tea on the focused and long finish.”

“Bright ruby red with subtle brightening on the rim. Elegant aromas, with ferrous notes, cherry, cranberry, a subtle herbal savouriness, maquis and bay leaf, a touch of pipe tobacco. Mediterranean flavours on the palate, with a subtle herbal savouriness, a slightly salty background note and a ferrous finish. Already approachable.”