It was the ‘70’s, the ‘’creative’’ years as they were called. America was pop and rock, England entered the Common Market and Andy Warhol, for the first time said the famous phrase:
“Talking counts more than doing”.
In Italy, in Montalcino to be precise, there was a lot to talk about.
In 1951, exactly 50 years ago, a visionary called Giovanni Neri decided to change his life and move to Montevarchi near Arezzo and establish the now world renowned winery Casanova di Neri.
Podere Fiesole – as it was known by the inhabitants of Montalcino in the past – is 50 years old, a really important birthday both for the family and the whole denomination of Brunello di Montalcino.
It wasn’t a good time for Italy and in Montalcino it was cold, wet and windy, certainly not the time anyone living on the 3500 hectare estate would have known it would, in years to come, give birth to the most extraordinary wines.
After gaining a fair knowledge of the local area the real turn around for the estate came with the arrival of a young, talented man, Giacomo Neri, the current owner and oenologist of the now renowned winery.
With him the winery was on the right track and in the space of just a few years a legend was born.
The decision taken from the start to produce rich, stand alone wines by investing in both technology and some of the top oenological consultants was sure to be a winner.
With him the winery was on the right track and in the space of just a few years a legend was born. The use of high quality wood, gentle vinification and the intuition built up over many years of anticipating the trends of the powerful millennial wines and, at the same time, being able to strike with a more essential vision from 2012 is surely something to brag about.
Research on the soils and investments in the last few years have ensured the winery stays dynamic; it doesn’t live on its fame yet continues to be an example to follow in the search for excellence.
They are the first perfect Italian wine awarded by Wine Spectator in 2007 to Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto 2001.
Today Casanova di Neri covers over 500 hectares of which 75 are vineyards divided into 7 very different plots in terms of soil composition, exposure and microclimate.
Organic management ensures respect for nature and the environment whilst the combination of ancient and modern methods is a trademark which fascinates all admirers of the great wines of the world.
Two wines have brought this winery to the peak of international acclaim but there is a third yet to be discovered: Cerretalto and Tenuta Nuova.
Tenuta Nuova is the symbol of Giacomo’s inspiration and genius, strongly desired at the time of purchase, even his parents considered him crazy. Born in 1993 from a clonal selection obtained by Cerretalto, nowadays it is one of the most elegant Italian wines that combines Americans and Asians, Italians and Europeans.
Cerretalto is a living myth, obtained only in special vintages is a vintage version of Brunello di Montalcino that comes out a year later on the market. A brilliant idea to be recognized from a marketing point of view, but what is most important is undoubtedly the uniqueness of the vineyard.
Rich in iron and other minerals belonging to the world of clays not present in the rest of the appellation, this vineyard is truly recognizable in the glass thanks to intriguing and decidedly unique nuances.
To these two wines which bring high value to the denomination we must add their little brother who holds all the cards to complete the winning trio: Rosso di Montalcino Giovanni Neri, created by Giovanni in honour of his grandfather it made its debut in the 2018 and 2019 vintages and precedes the Brunello which will come out in 2023. The excitement is hitting fever pitch in the wait for this wine made by a young and talented boy who retraces the steps of his father – albeit with the road somewhat cleared – and who has a strong urge to manage his estate with the eagle eye of one who simply can’t make mistakes.
If the saying is true that breeding shows then we are ready to taste another jewel made in Casanova di Neri and made in Brunello di Montalcino.
Can a brand be stronger than a denomination? If in doubt Casanova di Neri must be the perfect candidate to rule over the greatness of one of Italy’s most important denominations.
But Giacomo, Giovanni and Gianlorenzo know, in their wisdom, that it is more important to strive for long-standing collective success than to be on the front page of the daily news.
Happy Birthday Casanova di Neri!
