2019 Casanova di Neri Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino 750 ml

Grown on a dedicated plot in one of the greatest Brunello vintages of the century, this is the crown-jewel bottling from an iconic winery. It’s not made in every vintage—it won’t even be made in the excellent 2020 vintage—so it’s a rarity. And when it comes along, man is it special.

“Wow,” is how James Suckling began his 100-point review, before suggesting that this is the greatest wine of the vintage. Antonio Galloni of Vinous dug deeper: He called it “spellbinding” and a “showstopper,” saying it “displays all of the best attributes of this radiant vintage.”

Founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri, the family-owned Casanova di Neri estate has consistently pushed the boundaries of quality and innovation, earning a reputation as one of Italy's most prestigious wineries. With a deep respect for tradition and an eye for modern techniques, the estate has become synonymous with exceptional Brunello di Montalcino.

Cerretalto is grown mainly on Casanova di Neri’s Cerretalto Vineyard, a natural amphitheater that abuts the Fiume Asso, a small river.  Their dedication to land stewardship is evident in their meticulous vineyard management practices, which prioritize sustainability and minimal intervention. The low-yielding vines at Cerretalto yield wines of tremendous character and structure—in fact, Cerretalto is the source of the Sangiovese Grosso clone that Casanova di Neri has planted much more widely over their estate. 

Aged 36 months in oak barrels and another two years in bottle, this wine generally comes out about a year after most Brunellos from a particular vintage—in that way, it’s more like a Riserva. But Cerretalto is sui generis. There’s simply nothing like it out there.