2022 Casanova di Neri Toscana “Irrosso”, Tuscany, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

IrROSSO is the result of the union between Sangiovese and small addition of the estate's own grapes from different varieties: it gives the idea of a young red, significant but with easy drinkability and is linked to the characteristics of its native territory, with an unforgettable Casanova di Neri stamp.

85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Manual selection of the grapes first and - after destemming - by optic selector. Spontaneous fermentation without use of added yeasts and maceration is facilitated by frequent pressing. Everything takes place in conical steel vats at a controlled temperature per 13 days.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Casanova di Neri is founded by Giovanni Neri, a 48-year-old grain merchant from the town of Montevarchi in the Arno valley south of Florence. Passionate about wine, Neri had long dreamed of making a great Italian red, and although the long-established wine zone of Chianti Classico was just on his doorstep, it was remote Montalcino and its austere Sangiovese wines that fascinated him. Brunello di Montalcino had achieved  DOC (controlled origin) status just four years previously, and there were still only around thirty producers in the whole area, compared to more than 250 today. One rural property on the market had caught Neri’s attention during his frequent forays to Montalcino: Podere Casanova, a working farm of around 200 hectares on the eastern side of town. Wine represented only a small part of the farm’s production at the time, and what was made was sold in bulk, but Neri recognized that thanks to its altitude, aspect and soil composition, the place had the potential to make great Brunellos. In May 1971, he bought Podere Casanova, changed its name to Casanova di Neri, and in consultation with some of Tuscany’s leading winemakers, immediately began work to restore the estate’s existing Sangiovese vines and plant new ones.