I brought back 3 bottles of Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino from Italy in 2010 and put them (along with about 400 other bottles) in wine storage for safe keeping. It was not until I moved back to California in 2016 that I flew down to San Diego, pulled my wine out of storage, rented the biggest SUV I could find and drove the entire inventory to my home wine cellar in Central California (full disclosure – my husband did the driving). Just as good as presents under the Christmas tree in case you were wondering!
The vintages of the Casanova di Neri were 2003, 2004 and 2005. Not ancient but aged enough that I started wondering how they were doing. I bought a Coravin just for the occasion.
Tasting Notes –
2003 – Intensely colored garnet, with flavors of red currant, black tea leaves, and eucalyptus. A masculine wine with woodsy flavors alongside cigar and leather. Tannins were still very pronounced and the finish long.
2004 – Luscious with black cherry, plum and red fruit seeds. Interesting flavors of baking spices sprinkled on tomatoes, and earthen clay pot planted with herbs. The tannins were in-your-face fury in the most pleasant way.
2005 – Prominant red fruit alongside smoked paprika, red cedar, and caramelized mocha. Beefcake aspects included leather, cured meat, and campfire wood. The clay pot was not planted with herbs but flowers that had dried. Beautiful round tannins and an engaging, lingering finish.
A couple take-aways….
If you’ve ever thought about purchasing a Coravin, let me just say, I can not believe it took me so long to get one. The perfect tool for the task.
I shouldn’t have been but was surprised how well these wines held up. We deduced
*Thank you to Wine Folly The Essential Guide To Wine by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack always a great reference source.
by 
. These bottles, a 2003, 2004 and 2005 Brunello di Montalcino, have been laying in my cellar waiting for the proper gathering of the proper people to open and celebrate their greatness. As they lay there, no proper gathering was happening and besides bumming about my lame social life, I wondered if they were ageing and improving or fading. I finally came to my senses and decided a 
for all those screw cap wines in your life. Coravin systems and accessories are readily available in stores and 
