Founded in 1971, Casanova di Neri is one of Brunello di Montalcino’s crown jewels—a family-run winery that’s racked up more 100-point scores than a somm’s dream journal. It all started when Giovanni Neri, fascinated with remote Montalcino and its austere Sangiovese wines, bought an estate in eastern Montalcino. His son, Giacomo, took over the reins in the 1990s. 

Respecting the quality of the grapes is the prime concern in the course of a production process which strives to bring out the distinctive personality of each of the vineyards they originate from. As soon as the grapes are harvested, the grape bunches undergo manual selection before being de-stemmed. When only the finest fruit has been chosen, gravity funnels whole grapes into fermentation tanks on the lower floor. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled, open-topped vats of steel and wood. Slow aging in wood allows the wine’s aroma and bouquet to express all its character and harmony.

In 2006, their 2001 Tenuta Nuova Brunello was crowned Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year. The first Brunello to receive this important award. A year later, Cerretalto nailed a perfect 100. But don’t let the points distract you—the real magic is in the terroir. Montalcino’s microclimates, obsessive attention to detail, and a relentless drive for quality all come together in wines that can charm your palate at five years old—or stun you at twenty-five.