Casanova di Neri

Tenuta Nuova

Brunello di Montalcino

2021

Vintage

Varietal

Sangiovese

ABV

15.0%

Peak 2034-2049

Where it is, June 2026

Too Young: holding.

In 2026, the Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova 2021 is fully pre-window - the drinking window does not open until 2029, and the wine is in a closed, tannic phase that actively resists early opening. The T9 A8 B9 structure is the most concentrated profile in the recent Casanova di Neri lineup at this level, a direct consequence of spring frost events that reduced yields by 30-40% and compressed the remaining fruit into wine of unusual density and extract. In 2026 this wine is building structural complexity beneath the surface rather than expressing it. Cellar through at least 2029 and ideally through 2034 when peak drinking begins. This is a generational departure from the approachable 2019 Tenuta Nuova - do not expect the same timeline or the same personality. Patience will be rewarded with a Brunello of unusual depth and longevity through 2055.

Related vintages

The ‘21 Tenuta Nuova.

Spring frost cut yields by 30-40% and summer heat built Mediterranean density - the 2021 Tenuta Nuova is the most concentrated Casanova di Neri entry-level Brunello in recent memory, and it demands patience through 2029.

Drinking window

The arcYou are here · too young, 2026

Tasting note

A deep, opaque garnet with a near-purple core. The 2021 Tenuta Nuova is a fundamentally different wine from its 2019 predecessor, built by a vintage of heat, reduced yields from frost, and Mediterranean concentration rather than cool-season freshness. The nose is rich and dense: blackberry preserve, dark chocolate, incense, and leather open slowly and with weight, requiring extended air contact before the aromatic profile loosens. On the palate, the T9 A8 B9 structure is formidable - broad, drying tannins, a full and concentrated body, and a linear acid that cuts through with enough energy to provide balance against the mass. Flavors of cassis, black plum, tobacco, and licorice carry through a finish of considerable length and grip. This wine demands time in the cellar to resolve the tannic density into the complexity that the structure is clearly building toward.

The 2021 vintage

The 2021 vintage in Brunello di Montalcino was defined by two compounding events: a late April frost that reduced yields across many estates by 30-40%, and a warm, dry summer with reduced rainfall through July and August that concentrated the fruit that survived. Wine Spectator awarded the 2021 vintage a Great quality rating, recognizing the concentration and depth achievable in this difficult year while noting the vintage is more opulent and Mediterranean in character than the benchmark 2019. For Casanova di Neri, whose Tenuta Nuova block was among those affected by the spring frost, the result was a Brunello of unusual density, dark fruit character, and a structural weight that demands extended cellaring.

About Casanova di Neri

Casanova di Neri farms the Tenuta Nuova vineyard block using hand harvesting, meticulous sorting, and extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks. In challenging vintages like 2021, the estate approach to sorting becomes critical: reducing yields further at the sorting table after frost has already cut the harvest ensures only the finest fruit enters production. Giacomo Neri, who has led winemaking at the estate since the early 1990s, views difficult vintages as opportunities for precision rather than volume. The 2021 Tenuta Nuova is the result of that discipline: a wine of unusual concentration from frost-reduced yields, aged for a minimum of 30 months in Slavonian oak before bottling.

From the cellar: pair with

Braised short rib with black truffle polenta

The full B9 body and broad T9 tannins need rich slow-cooked protein and fat to soften; black truffle echoes the wine incense and leather notes at the aromatic register, creating a unified pairing.

Aged Parmigiano Reggiano 36-month

The nutty crystalline intensity of long-aged Parmigiano provides the tannin-softening fat and salt that the dense T9 structure requires, without competing with the wine dark fruit and chocolate profile.

Wild boar porchetta with rosemary and fennel

The Mediterranean density and dark fruit character of this 2021 align with the rich herbed fat of porchetta; the A8 acid cuts through the richness and keeps the wine in structural balance with the dish.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 60-63F (16-17C)
Decanting: Do not open before 2029. From 2029, decant 3 hours minimum to manage the T9 A8 B9 structure. At peak from 2034, 2 hours is sufficient before serving.
Cellar Storage: 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, on its side in a vibration-free environment.

Track this bottle Read the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG guide

The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.

Frequently Asked

When can I open the Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova 2021?

The drinking window opens in 2029, and in 2026 this wine is fully pre-window with broad T9 tannins that resist early opening. If you open it before 2029, expect primary dark fruit and significant tannic grip without the secondary complexity it is building. Peak drinking begins in 2034 and runs through 2049 - this is a wine that genuinely rewards patience.

Why is the 2021 Tenuta Nuova so much denser than the 2019?

The 2021 vintage was defined by spring frost events in late April that reduced yields by 30-40%, concentrating the remaining fruit into a much smaller crop. Combined with a warm, dry summer, the result was a wine of unusual density - T9 A8 B9 compared to the 2019 T7 A6 B7. These are fundamentally different wines built by fundamentally different growing seasons, not just different years of the same style.

What food pairs best with the 2021 Tenuta Nuova?

The full B9 body and broad T9 tannins demand rich, substantial food to show well: braised short rib with black truffle, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, or wild boar porchetta with herbs. Avoid lean preparations or delicate dishes - this wine requires fat and protein to soften the structure and allow the dark fruit and incense character to express.

How long can I cellar this bottle?

The hard decline is at 2055, giving this wine nearly 30 years of development from now. The T9 A8 B9 structure makes it among the longest-lived recent releases at the Tenuta Nuova level. If you are building a cellar with a 15-20 year horizon, the 2021 is an exceptional candidate. Buy and cellar now, then revisit in 2034 for the first peak expression.