Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:
Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed
$80.00 $60.00
In the early 1970’s the Neri Family struck gold when they were able to lock into an abandoned estate in the Northeast corner of Montalcino. They named it Casanova di Neri and together Giacomo and his two sons Giovanni and Gianlorenzo have managed their six vineyards spanning 75 hectares as well as they manage the cellar.
They’ve managed to do quite well for themselves too. Every year for the past decade plus, Casanova di Neri is amongst the highest rated wineries in all of Montalcino, consistently outperforming many of the bigger names. But those who know, know. You’re not going to find much better than Neri.
Their black label is a consistent 98+ point fetcher, especially in great vintages like the 2015 vintage and as you might expect, the pricetag starts at $125/bottle.
But for my money – the best overall offering from the estate is their ‘White Label’ — a beauty sculpted off a Southeastern sloped vineyard between 350-500 meters and very close to the cellar. As such, the grapes are brought immediately in and into large used oak barrels. There they take a 42-45 month slumber, building elegance to match the immense power and concentration and the bones required for aging.
In the outstanding 2015 vintage in Brunello that James Suckling referred to as, “a fairytale” it’s no surprise that the Neri boys once again churned out something special. Dense and concentrated yet bursting with energy and freshness. This gives you the best of both worlds. The critics unanimously loved it, with all four who reviewed it coming in at 93+ points or higher and garnering a triple 94-point score.
Out of stock
94 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The Neri family has created a classic expression of Sangiovese from a classic vintage, while remaining faithful to the house style. In a nutshell, these wines always tend to offer dark plum, clove and fig confit over the tiny berry and blue flower aromas you get from the traditionalists. That said, this Brunello needs ample time to open, and I suggest you splash it into the decanter. The Casanova di Neri 2015 Brunello di Montalcino (this is the one with the white label) stays safely within your expectation of the vintage with its variety-driven aromas of wild berry, licorice, blue flower and balsam herb. This wine sees fruit sourced from a vineyard on the northeast side of Montalcino, with Galestro soils ranging from 330 to 480 meters above sea level….this wine goes gangbusters in terms of mid-palate and overall texture.”
94 Points, Decanter
The Casanova di Neri estate is located in the northeastern zone of Torrenieri. Besides five distinct sites there, the Neri family also has three vineyards in the south between the villages of Sant’Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell’Abate. The ‘white label’ as this Brunello is called blends plots from the cooler Torrenieri area. It is mid-weight and classy, offering gleaming bright, fresh red cherry flavors. Hints of rust and warm stone as well as subtle sweet spice add complexity. Tactile but fine sandy tannins give appropriate support and the finish is vibrant and perfumed.
Winemaker Pascal Sirat consistently puts out some of the best value Bordeaux in the region but he may have outdone himself in the 2018 vintage. Just south of Pomerol, the vines at Panchille borrow deep in the soil. The resulting wines are ripe but fresh, with an aromatic complexity and stony finish usually reserved for wine twice the price. Daniel Boulud tells me it’s been the hottest bottle of wine at Bar Boulud for over a month, so I figured I’d better hurry up and secure my allocation! Don’t miss it.
In the excellent 2016 vintage in Napa, winemaker Kian Tavakoli (Opus One, Clos du Val) had little work to do. With ideal weather conditions throughout harvest, clusters came in dark and juicy from both the Coombsville and Rutherford Vineyards where this delicious Napa Valley Cab was crafted from. Deep ruby to the rim with excellent concentration, notes of Bing cherries, raspberry pie and hints of vanilla. On the palate, big wonderfully jammy fruit with young but impressive tannins and great length. The finish leaves notes of black cherry, and baked blueberry pie. This is a steal for the price.
95 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Once again, Fabio Motta knocks it out of the ballpark. The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Le Gonnare is another super rich and densely concentrated Tuscan blended wine from this classic vintage. This blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Syrah is soft and velvety. In fact, the wine plays its best cards in terms of the supple and soft nature of the mouthfeel and tannins. The wine is partially aged (only 20%) in new oak. Only 6,600 bottles were made total.”
The 2019 Fiancetto Howell Mt. Cabernet is restrained at first, needing air to develop its full signature of cedar laced cassis nose and mid palate of chocolate-covered cherries and savory spices. Full and plush it finishes long and fresh. This is a serious Cabernet for serious Cabernet fans. The price is crazy for Howell Mountain Cabernet at just $54 per bottle but that’s what Ry Richards and Fiancetto is all about.
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