A brand new Brunello, dedicated to the creator of Casanova di Neri, Giovanni Neri.
The grapes come from a fantastic field between S. Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. There are 7 hectares, and the canes are almost 50 years old. It was pure luck that the family was allowed to buy this field in 2017. It happened exclusively because the previous owner only wanted to sell to a Montalcino family that he knew came from the area, lived there, and would continue to live there.
The field is located at an altitude of 320-390 metres, and the subsoil consists of Galestro marl with clay and silt deposits.
After harvest in mid/late September 2018, the optically sorted grapes with approx. 20% whole bunches spontaneously fermented in open tins for 29 days.
The wine has subsequently matured for 24 months in used tonneaux and 6 months in a 50 hl Slavonian oak cask. After 18 months in bottle sent to the market.
In the nose, you are met by a large, broad palette of red fruits and berries. In the mouth you are met by very fine creamy and sweet tannins, and the wine has an absolutely fantastic balance.
2018 was a year of very cold winter followed by a rainy spring. The summer was without extreme heat and ripening of the grapes took place very slowly and calmly. So all in all a year that is expected to produce elegant and very durable wines.
I have long awaited the first rendition of the Giovanni Neri Brunello di Montalcino, and the 2018 does not disappoint. Here I'm finding a beguiling mix of lavender, white pepper and crushed stone giving way to dried black cherries and foreign spice.
98Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com
The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is a relatively new addition to the range from the southeast in Sesta. It pours a rich ruby hue, with aromas of perfumed red raspberry, herbes de Provence, wild strawberry, and a light note of cinnamon. It offers elegance and purity, with a refined texture, vibrant red berries, and beautiful notes of fresh blood orange, tea leaf, a fine tannic structure.
95Wine Spectator
This red is finely woven, with cherry and black currant fruit shaded by floral, mineral and black pepper aromas and flavors. Supple and fluid, with superb balance and vibrant acidity
98Luca Gardini
Gardini Notes
This is the best Brunello di Montalcino 2018, chosen among over 160 samples that I tasted.
An impeccable interpretation, the result of excellent work both in the vineyard and in the cellar. To the nose intense aromas of sour cherries, and laurel leaves with brackish and iodine touches on the closure. To the palate it opens with juiciness and tension, then it expands in breadth and depth. The finish is of long persistence, marked by savoury tannins and an officinal trace.
98+/100
98James Suckling
jamessuckling.com
96Monica Larner
Wine Advocate
Here's an exciting and important new addition to the Casanova di Neri portfolio. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is shapely and enriched in an extremely pleasing manner. The Neri family has perfected its approach to concentration and fruit weight over the many years they have been making excellent wines. This wine gives the appearance of being full-bodied, but ultimately, it reveals a very elegant side. Ripe cherry and blackberry cede to oak spice, toast and crushed white stone. The tannins are softly pliable and sweet. Compared to the estate's other wines, Tenuta Nuova and Cerretalto, Giovanni Neri is finer and more delicate, even fragile in personality. Some 5,400 bottles were made in this inaugural release.
