Giorgio Rivetti La Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova Sangiovese

Giorgio Rivetti La Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova Sangiovese is an unfiltered Tuscan red wine blending 95% Sangiovese with 5% Colorino at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2020 vintage earned 92 points from James Suckling, who praised its polish, focus, and vivid acidity. This bottling represents Giorgio Rivetti's deliberate effort to prove that traditional Sangiovese — not international varieties — could produce outstanding wine from the Tuscan hills south of Pisa.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Tuscany, Italy  |  Varietal: 95% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino  |  Estate: Casanova della Spinetta

Production & Heritage

La Spinetta was founded by the Rivetti family and gained renown in Piedmont before Giorgio Rivetti expanded into Tuscany with the Casanova della Spinetta estate, situated in the hills south of Pisa. Il Nero di Casanova undergoes maceration and alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks for approximately 12 days, followed by malolactic fermentation in second-use French oak barrels of various capacities. The wine then ages roughly 14 months in oak and an additional 12 months in bottle before release, and is bottled without filtration or clarification — a practice that preserves the wine's full texture and aromatic complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with wild cherry and blackberry, moving into blueberry and ripe cherry before revealing subtle spice, dried orange peel, and earthy undertones. A delicate floral lift of violet threads through the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is fresh and fruit-forward with red plum and crunchy red berry, building toward a mid-palate layered with savory notes of black tea, subtle clove, and a faint licorice thread. The body is medium to full, with velvety, fine-grained tannins balanced by striking acidity that keeps the wine vivid and linear.

Finish: The finish is lingering and savory, with sour cherry and earthy tones that persist well beyond the last sip. A gentle spice note and bright acidity carry the wine to a clean, focused conclusion.

How to Drink Il Nero di Casanova

This Sangiovese is at its best served at 60–65°F in a Bordeaux-style glass, allowing 20–30 minutes of air after opening. It drinks beautifully on its own but holds up well at the table. Pair it in a classic Negroni Sbagliato variation using a splash alongside sparkling wine for a Tuscan twist. Its bright acidity makes it a natural match for a Sangria Rossa built around Italian red fruit and citrus. For a simple aperitivo moment, serve alongside a Spritz-style build using bitter liqueur and a chilled pour of this wine in place of prosecco.

Best For

• Sunday Italian suppers featuring handmade pasta with slow-cooked ragu
• Introducing a Piedmont-focused wine lover to La Spinetta's Tuscan project
• Gifting someone who values unfiltered, terroir-driven Italian reds
• Building a vertical or horizontal tasting around quality Sangiovese expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Il Nero di Casanova taste like? Il Nero di Casanova delivers ripe cherry, red plum, and blackberry fruit balanced by velvety tannins, savory notes of black tea and clove, and bright acidity that carries through a lingering finish.

How does Il Nero di Casanova compare to Chianti Classico? Both are Sangiovese-dominant Tuscan reds, but Il Nero di Casanova sources from the hills south of Pisa rather than the Chianti zone and includes 5% Colorino for added depth; its malolactic fermentation in French oak and unfiltered bottling give it a rounder, more textured profile than many entry-level Chianti Classico wines.

Is Il Nero di Casanova good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of fruit concentration, fine tannin structure, and vivid acidity makes it a satisfying wine to drink neat, especially with a brief airing period after opening.

Where is Il Nero di Casanova made? Il Nero di Casanova is produced at Casanova della Spinetta, Giorgio Rivetti's Tuscan estate located in the hills south of Pisa in the heart of Tuscany, Italy.

What foods pair well with Il Nero di Casanova? Wild boar ragu benefits from the wine's tannic grip and dark fruit. Bistecca alla fiorentina matches its medium-to-full body stride for stride. Aged pecorino Toscano echoes the savory, earthy undertones. Eggplant parmigiana harmonizes with the wine's acidity and cherry-driven fruit. Mushroom risotto complements the subtle earthy and spice notes.

What sizes does Il Nero di Casanova come in? Il Nero di Casanova is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Il Nero di Casanova worth the price? Il Nero di Casanova positions as an accessible entry point into La Spinetta's Tuscan range, offering oak aging, malolactic fermentation in French barrels, and unfiltered bottling — production hallmarks more commonly found at higher price tiers — making it a strong value within the premium Sangiovese category.

Why Il Nero di Casanova?

This wine exists because Giorgio Rivetti set out to demonstrate that indigenous Tuscan grapes could rival international varieties when treated with the same meticulous winemaking applied at La Spinetta's Piedmont estates. The unfiltered, unclarified bottling preserves every dimension of the fruit and terroir from the Casanova vineyard site. A 92-point score from James Suckling on the 2020 vintage confirms the wine delivers well above its positioning as the estate's introductory Sangiovese. For drinkers who want serious Tuscan winemaking without the premium of single-vineyard or riserva bottlings, Il Nero di Casanova fills that space with integrity.