Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino White Label 2018

Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino White Label 2018 is a 100% Sangiovese Brunello from Montalcino, Tuscany, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 94 points by Wine Spectator and 96 points by The Wine Independent, this vintage marks the 40th anniversary of the estate's iconic Etichetta Bianca bottling, first produced in 1978.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  DOCG Brunello di Montalcino  |  Producer: Casanova di Neri

Production & Heritage

Casanova di Neri was established in 1978 by Giovanni Neri in the Torrenieri area of Montalcino, where the estate's original vineyard plots still supply fruit for the White Label. Grapes are manually selected and undergo spontaneous fermentation — without added yeast — followed by a 25-day maceration with frequent punch-downs in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine then ages for over 40 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, a traditional Brunello approach that preserves varietal character while building structural complexity. This extended oak maturation distinguishes the White Label from many Brunellos at this level, lending it a rare balance of richness and fine-grained tannin.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The bouquet opens with dusty florals and dried strawberry before unfolding into layers of exotic spice, cedar, and a faint mineral lift. Give it time in the glass and balsamic herb notes emerge alongside darker fruit tones.

Taste: The palate entry is pure silk — seamless and supple, with immediate depth. Mid-palate, dark cherry and black currant weave through tobacco, licorice, and white pepper accents. Earthy undertones and almond-like nuances add dimension as the wine builds toward a concentrated peak without ever feeling heavy.

Finish: Long and dramatic, with fine tannins framing balsam herbs, cedar, and lingering mineral tones. The finish sustains its intensity for well over a minute, gradually resolving into dried red fruit and a subtle smokiness.

How to Drink the White Label 2018

This Brunello is best served at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass after at least 30 minutes of decanting; younger bottles benefit from even longer aeration. It is a wine built for the table — drink it alongside food rather than in cocktails.

Best For

• Gifting an Italian wine enthusiast or collector marking a milestone
• Anchoring a Tuscan-themed dinner with grilled bistecca or wild boar ragù
• Cellaring for medium-term aging — the 2018 vintage has significant development potential through the early 2030s
• Exploring the benchmark style of one of Montalcino's most respected estates

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the White Label 2018 taste like? It delivers a silky core of dark cherry, strawberry, and black currant layered with tobacco, licorice, white pepper, and earthy mineral tones. Fine tannins and cedar carry through a long, dramatic finish.

How does the White Label compare to Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova? The White Label blends fruit from multiple Torrenieri-area plots and ages in large Slavonian oak, producing a classic, traditionally styled Brunello. Tenuta Nuova is a single-vineyard cru that typically sees smaller French oak and carries greater concentration, intensity, and a higher price point.

Is the White Label 2018 good for drinking now? Yes — with adequate decanting it drinks beautifully today, though its firm tannic structure and acidity suggest it will continue to evolve and improve through at least 2030–2033.

Where is the White Label made? It is produced by Casanova di Neri in the Montalcino zone of Tuscany's province of Siena, using fruit sourced from the estate's vineyards in the Torrenieri area where the winery was originally founded in 1978.

What foods pair well with the White Label 2018? Bistecca alla fiorentina highlights the wine's tannic backbone; slow-braised wild boar ragù over pappardelle mirrors its earthy complexity; aged Pecorino Toscano echoes its mineral and savory qualities; grilled lamb chops with rosemary complement the herbal finish; and roasted porcini mushrooms amplify its earthy undertones.

What sizes does the White Label come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; Casanova di Neri also produces magnums (1.5L) for select vintages, though availability varies by market.

Is the White Label 2018 worth the price? The White Label positions as a mid-tier Brunello — priced above entry-level Rossos but well below single-vineyard crus like Tenuta Nuova or Cerretalto. Given its 94-point Wine Spectator score and 40-plus months of oak aging, it represents strong value within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG category.

Why the White Label 2018?

The 2018 vintage arrived during the 40th anniversary of Casanova di Neri's original Etichetta Bianca, and it lives up to the occasion. Over 40 months in large Slavonian oak — longer than many producers commit to at this price tier — give the wine a structural depth and tannin refinement that set it apart from standard-aged Brunellos. Critical reception reinforces its quality: 94 points from Wine Spectator, 93 from both Wine Advocate and Vinous, and 96 from The Wine Independent. For anyone seeking an authentic, traditionally crafted Brunello from a family estate with deep roots in Montalcino, this bottling makes a compelling argument.