La Spinetta 'Il Nero di Casanova' Sangiovese Terre di Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

Wild rose, ripe raspberry, and a snap of blood-orange zest set an energetic tone for 2021 La Spinetta 'Il Nero di Casanova' Sangiovese Terre di Pisa, a Sangiovese that leans into perfume and freshness without sacrificing depth. Drawn from La Spinetta’s Casanova estate and shaped by a long élevage that includes time in seasoned French oak, it is a cuvée designed to be both expressive and table-ready, capturing Tuscany’s savory brightness in a more contemporary, polished frame. It is a clear statement of the Rivetti family’s instinct for marrying regional identity with precision winemaking.

Product Details:

• Owner: Carlo Rivetti; Giorgio Rivetti; Bruno Rivetti
• Winemaker: Giorgio Rivetti; Andrea Rivetti
• Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese
• Vintage: 2021
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vinification: Maceration and alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks for approximately 12 days
• Malolactic Fermentation: Completed in second-use French oak barrels of various capacities
• Aging: Approximately 14 months in oak, followed by about 12 months of bottle aging
• Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
• Vineyard Exposure: South-West; South-East
• Altitude: Approximately 250 m
• Soils: Sandy, marine-derived soils with oceanic sediments in one area; stonier sites with travertine in another

Sensory Description:

Bright ruby in the glass, this Sangiovese opens with a floral, lifted profile of wild rose and violet, followed by ripe raspberry, red cherry, and the distinctive citrus snap of blood orange. The palate is fresh and well-balanced, with smooth, fine-grained tannins framing red plum and crunchy red-berry fruit, while savory notes of black tea, subtle clove, and a faint licorice thread build through the mid-palate. The oak reads as seasoning rather than structure, adding gentle spice and shape without blurring the wine’s clarity. Compared to more rustic, angular Sangiovese expressions, this bottling is notably polished and fluid, yet it retains the grape’s natural brightness and a lightly mineral, mouthwatering finish that feels true to the coastal Tuscan landscape.

Producer’s Background:

La Spinetta is a Rivetti family estate best known for its influential work in Piedmont, later expanding into Tuscany with the creation of Casanova della Spinetta. The family’s approach combines rigorous vineyard attention with a modern, detail-driven cellar philosophy, aiming for wines that show varietal purity, textural refinement, and consistent freshness. At the Casanova estate, Sangiovese takes center stage, with Il Nero di Casanova positioned as a signature expression that balances regional character with a contemporary, carefully sculpted style.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 16 to 18°C in a medium-bowled red wine glass to highlight the wine’s floral lift and keep the tannins feeling supple. This Sangiovese excels with grilled or roasted meats, bistecca-style preparations, pork ragù, tomato-forward pastas, mushroom dishes, and aged pecorino, and it also shines alongside herbs and olive-oil-driven cuisine where its acidity and savory finish keep each bite feeling bright.