Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy 2018

Description

Jeb Dunnuck 98

The deep garnet-colored 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Cerretalto is ripe and boasts a sunnier feel, with aromas of baked cherries as well as a dark mineral profile of graphite, toasted peppercorn, and dried lavender. Fleshy and full-bodied, it offers a plush tannin structure, with wonderful depth and richness through its long-lasting finish, and it retains good freshness. This would be a wonderful counterpart for lovers of great Bordeaux. It remains fresh and tinged with classic notes of blood orange and salinity. It’s going to be an outstanding wine to cellar and drink over the coming decades. Bravo.

James Suckling 97

Black cherries and dried cherries are allied with notes of balsamic, leather and minty earthiness, but it needs time to open up. Full-bodied on the palate with good fruit concentration and refined tannins. Still youthful, with grainy oak touches. Hints of graphite in the polished finish. Very savory. Best from 2028

Wine Advocate 96

Showing dried blackberry, balsam herb, vapor rub and a hint of charred chili spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very much in line with a vintage that saw cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine of depth, dusty tannins and a slightly evolved fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto next to the estate's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more overall clarity and crunch. The Neri family does great work with tannin management, and although there is some chalkiness here, the wine's structure is expertly folded into the fruit concentration. Only 9,700 bottles were made.