Il Marroneto produces Brunellos which are amongst the finest examples of Sangiovese within the DOCG. Using a natural approach, Alessandro Mori produces two exquisite wines; a straight Brunello and single vineyard Madonna delle Grazie which has just received the perfect 100 points from Decanter.
Winemaker Alessandro Mori, 2nd generation, is a strong advocate for traditional winemaking. Over the years, he did not succumb to the market trends, such as new oak ageing, but kept his way and has continuously produced refined Brunellos. His wines are amongst some of the finest examples of Sangiovese produced within the DOCG.
Il Marroneto’s story
Giuseppe Mori acquired the estate in 1974 where he modestly made two barrels in two small rooms. The first vintage was released in 1980, when Alessandro took over the winemaking. He has been guided by two renown oenologists: Mario Cortevesio and Giulio Gambelli from Biondi Santi.
Vineyard and winemaking
The nine hectares of vineyard sit at around 400 meters (1312 feet) above sea level. The altitude, combined with a cooler microclimate creates wines full of elegance and lightness. Organic farming practices are crucial to Alessandro who prioritizes the well-being of the vineyards to avoid the use of chemicals.
Montalcino's Alessandro Mori proudly follows a very traditional winemaking philosophy which reminds you of the old days, when wine presses were powered by donkeys. He adopts hot and compact fermentation methods and presses early in order to lock in colour, aromas, acidity and structure. He then macerates the wines for 2 to 3 days and uses robust pump-overs during the fermentation. This creates what he calls a "a primordial broth" of berries, skins and pulp which is key to deliver the incredible aromas achieved in his wines. Finally, he ages his wines in various sizes of Slavonian oak barrels for up to 42 months.
2019 – The Growing season
At last, a great vintage following some difficult years. The weather was similar to the late 1990s, with a very wet spring preparing the vines for the summer ahead which only had a few heat spikes and just enough water to revive vines. This led to wines with crunchy and pure fruit character which will need three to five years in the bottle before being ready.
Brunello di Montalcino La Madonna delle Grazie Il Marroneto 2019 - The Scores
This is a racy wine with deep layers, infinite complexity and a wild, almost mischievous personality. I have noticed that other Brunellos imitate this style, but none come close to the one and only. The Il Marroneto 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie exudes immediate aromas that are vibrant, elegant and full of energy. This is a wine of light and power, and I am reminded of Spain's Comando G, especially considering its uniquely punchy quality. Sweet cranberry, coriander seed, cola, licorice and white pepper emerge with purpose. There is a hint of sweetness that feels like summer singing from the glass. The mouthfeel is very much alive with terrific freshness and fine, dusty tannins that coat the entire mouth. - 99 points Monika Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
To arrive at Il Marroneto, an almost impossibly steep street is to be followed. The estate is on the northern flank of Montalcino, lying over a Jurassic soil; one of the oldest in Italy. In the cellar, an old botte grande is slowly gurgling, mumbling, bubbling. The fermentation here is natural, malolactic included, all in oak. Madonna delle Grazie – Brunello from a single vineyard beside the estate – rests in large oak casks for 42 months. ‘For us, the oak is conceived just to store the wine,’ says Iacopo Mori, the second generation, today in charge. This 2019 is sleek and fresh on the nose, with red currants and dark cherry, and a graceful depth of incense and smoky woodland, sweet violet, cinnamon and orange peel. Vibrancy dominates the palate, with long, fierce acidity and thick, velvety tannins leading to a sweet, persistent aftertaste. – 100 points Decanter
This is a racy wine with deep layers, infinite complexity and a wild, almost mischievous personality. I have noticed that other Brunellos imitate this style, but none come close to the one and only. The Il Marroneto 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie exudes immediate aromas that are vibrant, elegant and full of energy. This is a wine of light and power, and I am reminded of Spain's Comando G, especially considering its uniquely punchy quality. Sweet cranberry, coriander seed, cola, licorice and white pepper emerge with purpose. There is a hint of sweetness that feels like summer singing from the glass. The mouthfeel is very much alive with terrific freshness and fine, dusty tannins that coat the entire mouth. - 99 points Robert Parker
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie tempts the imagination with a dark veil of exotic florals and spices that slowly lifts to reveal dried blackberries and cherries enlivened by hints of mint and a dusting of clove. This soothes with its silken textures and ripe red berry fruits as a blend of saline minerals and fine tannins slowly collect toward the close. Structured yet incredibly long and deep, it tapers off like a black hole, inward and youthfully tense, blending sweet tannins with steeped plums and balsam herbs. The 2019 is one of the most energetic yet complex renditions of Madonna delle Grazie I have yet tasted. I could get lost for days in this wine - 99 points, Eric Guido, Vinous
Deep youthful ruby. This takes it up a step higher compared with the estate wine from Il Marroneto in 2019. Minerals steeped in rich raspberry with hints of fresh garden herb and mace. Gorgeous juicy fruit with enormous focus and stunning, fine, long, deep tannins. - 18.5/20, Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com