Casanova di Neri

What to look for

• •Deep garnet colour, brick at the rim as it ages
• •Aromas of cherry, plum, dried herbs and leather
• •Firm tannin that grips the mouth, long finish

About the producer

Casanova di Neri is one of Montalcino's most respected estates, known for wines that age gracefully and show the true character of the Brunello grape.

About the year

2016 was a warm, dry year in Tuscany that produced ripe, concentrated wines. This wine is drinking well now but will continue to evolve for another decade or more.

Grape characteristics

Brunello is Tuscany's noblest red grape, thick-skinned and slow to ripen. It makes wines of power and elegance that demand time to soften and reveal their complexity.

About the region

Montalcino sits on clay and limestone hills south of Siena, where cool nights and warm days create the conditions for Brunello to ripen fully while keeping its acidity and structure.

Tasting profile

Expect dark cherry and plum, with notes of dried herbs, tobacco and earth. The wine is full-bodied and serious, with layers that unfold as it breathes and warms in the glass.

Serving suggestions

Serve at 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Decant for 30 to 45 minutes before drinking to let it open. Use a large burgundy glass to give the wine room to breathe.

Also pairs well with

• • Beef steak, aged
• • Wild boar ragù
• • Aged hard cheeses
• • Roasted game birds
• • Mushroom risotto