BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO “CASANOVA DI NERI” IS THE BEST WINE IN THE WORLD: THE FAMOUS RED TAKES THE NUMBER ONE SPOT IN THE WINE SPECTATOR “TOP 100” WORLD WINE CLASSIFICATION... THE SUPER TUSCAN OF BRANCAIA TAKES NINTH …

The best wine in the world? It’s a Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most important symbols of “Made in Italy”. This was the recent decree by Wine Spectator, the American magazine considered the “bible” of the wine world, and which creates its Top 100 list each year. And this year, the Brunello di Montalcino "Tenuta Nuova" 2001 signed Casanova di Neri by Giacomo Neri (one of the most prestigious wineries in Montalcino), is at the top of the most important wine classification in the world.
The conquest of the most coveted position on the ‘Wine Spectator’ classification is the confirmation that Montalcino is the reigning territory of Italian enology. “It is a priceless satisfaction that fills me with joy” - explained Giacomo Neri to www.winenews.it – “we have really worked a lot in the vineyard and in the winery and this prize repays all of the sacrifices of this year. It is a team victory and, above all, a recognition of the enological greatness of Montalcino”. The super classification by Wine Spectator, which has always been one of the most anticipated verdicts in the wine world, has also place another Tuscan label in the ninth position. La Brancaia, with it super Tuscan “Il Blu”, is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Merlot (25%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%).
And there is another Italian winner in this “Top 10” group: the enologist Carlo Ferrini, one of the most famous wine consultants in Italy, who worked with both of the winning wineries, Casanova di Neri and La Brancaia. “I am truly happy, it is an amazing result that awards two young companies that have been very involved in extreme quality in recent years”.

The “Top 10” list:
1) Brunello di Montalcino "Tenuta Nuova" 2001 Casanova di Neri
 2) Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Washington
3) Chateâu Leoville Barton St. Julien 2003 Bordeaux
4) Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Don Melchor 2003 Chile
5) Domaine du Pegau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Cuvèe Réservée 2003 Rhône
6) Chateâu Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes 2003 Bordeaux
7) Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2004 California
8) Kongsgaard Chardonnay Napa Valley 2003 California
9) Brancaia Il Blu 2004 Toscana
10) Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden 2004 Australia

The Wine Spectator "Top 100" list debuted in 1988 and has become a true classic, capable of influencing markets all over the world. The American magazine’s wine experts (including James Suckling, who covers Italian and European wine tastings) tasted over 12,000 wines for the 2007 edition. But the final selection was reached according to various other factors as well: price, production availability, and the ”x factor” which the ‘Wine Spectator’ journalists define as “excitement”.
The other 90 wines that made the cult magazine’s classification list will soon be available at www.winespectator.com .

The Brunello di Montalcino Consortium expressed great satisfaction for this top placing of the “New Estate” Casanova di Neri. “It is a prize that ideally embraces the entire denomination” - confirmed Stefano Campatelli, the Consortium’s director - “and recognizes the work of a territory that is continuously more involved with the quality angle”.

Wine Spectator ... first place in the past
2000 - Solaia 1997 Piero Antinori
2001 - Ornellaia 1998 Lodovico Antinori
2002 - E.Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1999
2003 - Paloma Merlot Spring Mountain District 2001
2004 - Château Rieussec Sauternes 2001
2005 - Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley 2002