In 1971, Giovanni Neri founded Casanova di Neri in the eastern part of Montalcino. Over time, vineyards were added in other areas. The first was the Cerretalto vineyard which has a unique terroir in a natural amphitheatre over the Asso river. The winery used its old vines, with small bunches of well-spaced grapes, to create a selection for propagation in their other vineyards.

The first Brunello harvest in the original vineyard was in 1978. Harvests in other vineyards started with Cerretalto in 1981, then Tenuta Nuova in 1993, Pietradonice in 2000 and Ibbianco in 2011. Currently the estate covers a surface of around 500 hectares of which 63 are vineyards, 20 olive groves and the rest arable land and forest.

The Sangiovese fruit in Casanova di Neri’s Brunello di Montalcino is bunch-sorted prior to de-stemming and then sorted again grape-by-grape. The maceration and native yeast fermentation take place in open, temperature-controlled vats for 3 to 4 weeks. Oak barrel-aging lasts about 42 months followed by six months in bottle before release.

The 2017 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino, a glorious product of Italy's renowned Tuscany region, carries with it a pedigree of excellence and the unique signature of its varietal, the Sangiovese Grosso. This red wine, beautifully encased in a cork closure, carries an alcohol percentage of 14.5, promising a robust and full-bodied experience.

The wine's aura unfolds gradually, revealing an intricate bouquet of violets, yellow broom, and mint, as noted by Decanter. The palate may seem angular at first but delves deeper into tantalizing hints of cherry, clay, iron, and graphite, echoing a beautiful complexity and freshness. James Suckling suggests allowing this wine a year or two to soften, which will reveal a lively and dark-fruited palate that is firm yet subtly austere.

The Wine Advocate applauds the unexpected grace of this wine, despite the scorching-hot and dry vintage. It appreciates the harmony of low and high tones in the wine, dominated by purple and black fruits with a brief interlude of fresh garden rose or lilac.

Vinous describes the wine as enveloping and soft, with sweet exotic spices and vibrant acidity. It commends the amazing length of the wine, with a mix of hard red candies, violets, and sweet tannin creating a chewy yet fresh expression.

Wine Spectator suggests that this fleshy red wine, with its notes of graphite, mint, and wild herbs, will be at its best from 2025 through 2043. The plum and cherry flavors play a leading role, while earth, tobacco, and underbrush notes provide a well-balanced support.

In conclusion, the 2017 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of intriguing complexity and depth, promising a rewarding journey for the senses as it matures and evolves.