100 points Brunello

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.

Alessandro presses early to extract both color, aromas, acidity and structure and lets the fruit rest for 24 to 36 hours. When the fermentation kicks off spontaneously at warm temperature, he does a lot of pump-overs to add oxygen and retain the elegant floral aromas of Sangiovese and the phenolic compounds. He then ages his wines in various sizes of Slavonian oak barrels.

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.

2019 - The Scores

Brunello di Montalcino Il Marroneto 2019

Alessandro Mori's wines are easy to spot in a blind tasting thanks to the soaring intensity and vibrant Sangiovese aromas they display. They are truly one of a kind. A wine that sees a relatively short and hot fermentation, the Il Marroneto 2019 Brunello di Montalcino respects local winemaking tradition and remains true in spirit. The steep verticality of the bouquet evokes almost-carbonic or lifted aromas of bright cherry, strawberry shortcake, lilac and heritage rose. You get straight to the heart of Sangiovese. The tannins are extremely fine and powdery and the freshness of the fruit is beautifully intact. This wine really pops in 2019. - 97 points Robert Parker

Loaded with finesse and flavor, this young, medium-bodied red opens with heady aromas of forest berries, underbrush and grilled herbs with a whiff of leather. On the fresh, savory palate, polished tannins accompany juicy Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and truffle before finishing on a note of rusty iron. Drink through 2027. Kerin O’Keefe – 92 points Wine Enthusiast

Brunello di Montalcino La Madonna delle Grazie Il Marroneto 2019

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