Casanova di Neri : Cerretalto 2012

The Casanova di Neri domain of Giacomo Neri and his family has been one of the pioneers of sub-zonal, single-vineyard Brunello: its celebrated Cerretalto and Pietradonice wines are both sourced from single vineyards in the southern half of the DOCG zone, the former just underneath the town itself to the east, and the latter close to Castelnuovo dell’Abbate. This is a dark wine with scents of currants and plums, wax and incense spice. There’s great wealth on the palate and ample fruit architecture, even after the requisite ageing trajectory; once again the dark plums are haunted by incense spice notes and the dark, alluring glow of hearth embers.

The density is so impressive in this great single-vineyard wine of Casanova. It's full yet agile at the same time. Shows such integrated tannins and fresh acidity at the finish. Energized and focused. Tangy and citrusy. Mineral undertone. One of the great Brunellos of 2012. Better in 2022.

A rich ruby hue, the 2012 Brunello Di Montalcino Cerretalto is ripe and pure, with kirsch, polished leather, anise, and cedar. It is full-bodied without weight and has an elegant yet expansive mouthfeel, with ripe tannins and a velvety texture balanced with fresh acidity. It has fantastic length, with notes of wild raspberry, red plum, dried rose petal, and sweet herbs. It is in a beautiful place for drinking now and shows no signs of slowing down or moving into more tertiary notes. An exquisite wine, it warrants decanting as it opens. Drink 2023-2043.

Rich, deep ruby with garnet glints. Intense and layered nose of dark cherries, violets, fresh juicy plums, olive paste and dried tomatoes—very inviting. Rich, firm attack on the palate, lots of warmth, dark ripe fruit, tightly woven tannins entwined with a sweet texture, salty and long—one to lay down!

The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto offers a prolonged, flowing and carefully massaged drinking experience that drapes over the senses with some studied intensity and lots of intriguing complexity. This wine nails that perfect balance between power and elegance (that elusive exchange that so many winemakers hope to achieve) with effortless precision. Bold cherry fruit and spice are tightly woven together. In the mouth, the wine shows texture, depth and succulence. Generally speaking, this is not my favorite vintage in Montalcino, but this wine suddenly made me forget that thought.