The ‘20 Giovanni Neri.

Named for the estate founder, this prestige Brunello from a demanding 2020 delivers the sapidity and freshness that define Casanova di Neri at its finest.

Tasting note

A vivid garnet of medium depth. The nose shows the freshness that defines Casanova di Neri at the prestige level: blood orange and red currant give a citric brightness, followed by fresh rose petal, iron mineral, and a suggestion of violets. On the palate, the wine reveals its character through precision rather than power. The T7 A8 B7 profile delivers sapidity and finesse - a characteristic brightness that defines the estate and separates this release from the more approachable Tenuta Nuova. The tannins are silky and refined, the acid linear and food-friendly, and the finish clean and mineral over a long, savory tail. Named for founder Giovanni Neri, this release represents Casanova di Neri commitment to traditional Brunello values: restraint, clarity, and the honest expression of Montalcino terroir without resort to concentration or extraction.

The 2020 vintage

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino vintage was shaped by a warm, dry summer with above-average temperatures through July and August, which stressed vines and compressed the aromatic profile for many producers. The most skilled estates managed canopy carefully to preserve freshness, and the result in the Montalcino zone was a vintage of genuine quality if not the benchmark status of 2019. Wine Spectator awarded the vintage an Outstanding rating of 93, reflecting honest quality with slightly reduced aging potential relative to the preceding year. For Casanova di Neri, whose farming philosophy prioritizes freshness over extraction, the 2020 warm-season conditions were managed with skill, resulting in a wine of unusual sapidity for the vintage.

About Casanova di Neri

Casanova di Neri is one of Brunello di Montalcino most storied estates, founded by Giovanni Neri in the 1970s and expanded under his son Giacomo Neri, who has served as winemaker since the early 1990s. The estate farms approximately 60 hectares across multiple Montalcino sites, including the historic Cerretalto and Tenuta Nuova blocks. Giacomo Neri uses a precision-farming approach: hand harvesting, careful sorting, and aging in large Slavonian oak casks for a minimum of 36 months before bottling. The Giovanni Neri release honors the estate founder and represents a curated selection from the best estate lots, producing a wine of uncommon sapidity and structural elegance that sits above the Tenuta Nuova and below the Cerretalto in the estate hierarchy.

From the cellar: pair with

Rack of lamb with rosemary

The T7 tannin structure is firm enough to complement the richness of lamb but refined enough not to overwhelm it; the A8 acid lifts the rosemary herb note to mirror the wine bright, fresh character.

Porcini mushroom risotto

The earthy umami of dried porcini aligns with the iron-mineral character of this Brunello, and the creamy risotto body provides the weight that the B7 structure can stand up to without being overwhelmed.

Braised short rib with polenta

The wine sapidity and linear A8 acid cut through the richness of braised short rib, and the polenta provides the neutral canvas that allows the finesse and elegance of this estate Brunello to read clearly.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 60-64F (16-18C)
Decanting: In 2026, decant 1-2 hours before serving. The wine is in its early window and benefits from air contact to open the aromatic profile fully.
Cellar Storage: 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, on its side.

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Frequently Asked

Is the Giovanni Neri 2020 ready to drink now?

The canonical CAI full drinking arc is 2026-2048. Within that arc, the peak window is 2030-2042. The full arc is the broader period the wine may drink well; the peak window is when it is most likely to show its best balance. Storage, fill level, cork condition, and preference can shift the decision. Taste before adding more air or holding the rest.

How does Giovanni Neri differ from the Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova?

The Giovanni Neri is Casanova di Neri prestige tier, representing a curated selection from the estate best blocks rather than a single site. It is typically more refined and shows greater finesse than the Tenuta Nuova, positioned between Tenuta Nuova and Cerretalto in terms of intensity and aging arc. The T7 A8 B7 profile is more elegant than the Tenuta Nuova and uses the freshest lots from the vintage.

What food pairs best with this Giovanni Neri Brunello?

Given the T7 A8 B7 structure, this wine favors elegance over power in food pairings: rack of lamb with rosemary, porcini mushroom risotto, or braised short rib with polenta. The sapid, linear acid can handle fatty and rich preparations without being overwhelmed, and the mineral finish complements umami-forward dishes.

How long can I cellar the Giovanni Neri 2020?

The wine develops confidently through 2048. If you have multiple bottles, drink one now in the early window and cellar the rest through 2030 to experience the peak phase. The 2020 vintage carries good but not exceptional aging potential, so the 2026-2035 window is the practical sweet spot where the wine delivers its fullest expression.