2019 Casanova di Neri "Cerretalto" Brunello di Montalcino

At the far eastern limits of the zone, Cerretalto is Casanova di Neri’s coolest site, owing to marked diurnal temperature differences. Fermented in oak and aged in tonneaux, of which 20% is new, this cuvée sees long ageing in bottle and is always released a year after its stablemates in the vintages it is made. Simply breathtaking, the 2019 is a thoroughbred. Intense yet at the same time reticent, the nose simmers with pulverised rocks, graphite, smoke and wild black berries. Sinewy and chiselled in physique, the palate is full of vim and vigour. Dark fruit tones are offset by tangy pomegranate and zesty acidity, and commanding tannins are firm but not hard-edged; they simply need time. Hints of roasted coffee bean and oregano persist.

When we talk about the absolute summit of Italian wine—bottlings that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest First Growths and Grand Crus of the world—Casanova di Neri’s "Cerretalto" is firmly in the conversation. Produced only in the most exceptional years from a single, mineral-rich amphitheater vineyard tucked away in Montalcino’s eastern sector, this is Giacomo Neri's undisputed crown jewel. In a legendary, powerhouse vintage like 2019, the Cerretalto is nothing short of a masterpiece. The 2019 vintage in Montalcino is universally acclaimed for producing wines of mind-bending structure, precision, and longevity, and this bottling captures that perfection. It pours a dense, almost impenetrable ruby, immediately exploding from the glass with a profound bouquet of black cherry liqueur, wild blackberry, crushed graphite, espresso bean, and exotic spices. On the palate, it is massive yet incredibly graceful. The sheer concentration of dark, luxurious fruit is seamlessly interwoven with cashmere-like tannins and a brilliant, driving acidity that gives the wine staggering tension and lift. The finish is epic, lasting for minutes. While it is a towering achievement that demands space in the cellar—easily capable of evolving for the next three to four decades—it is a true collector's item and one of the most thrilling expressions of Sangiovese ever put into bottle.