Collection: Il Marroneto

The Latest Releases from this Montalcino Master including 100 point Madonna

We have a very small allocation of the newly released wines from Il Marroneto. We are offering these wines as a mixed nine case, comprising three Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie 2019 and six Brunello di Montalcino 2019.  Both wines were universally praised by the critics and these tasting notes can be seen below.

Alessandro Mori, a fervent advocate for traditional winemaking, has established himself as a 'naturalista,' crafting exceptional Sangiovese wines within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. His wines receive huge acclaim and these latest releases are no different.

Il Marroneto's modest cellars, largely unchanged since Alessandro's father purchased the estate in 1974, reflect a commitment to tradition. In 1994, Alessandro's decision to focus full-time on winemaking marked a pivotal moment, transitioning Il Marroneto from a family hobby to a serious pursuit.

Today, Alessandro cultivates nine hectares of vineyards, emphasizing organic practices to enhance biodiversity and vineyard health. His winemaking philosophy, rooted in patience and meticulous attention to detail, is evident in both his classic Brunello and the single-vineyard Madonna delle Grazie. While the Brunello undergoes a 48-hour maceration with regular pump overs, the Madonna delle Grazie follows a no-intervention approach to preserve its unique character.

Both wines mature in large oak barrels for 36 to 48 months, allowing time to work its magic. Madonna delle Grazie, conceived in the late 1990s as a departure from bold trends, celebrates Sangiovese's complexity rather than sheer power. Alessandro's commitment to listening to the grape and allowing nature to guide the process underscores his dedication to crafting wines of finesse and elegance.

Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie 2019

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, Monica Larner, the 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, Aldo Fioerdelli, Decanter

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

Brunello di Montalcino 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, Monica Larner, the Wine Advocate

Iacopo Mori described the 2019 vintage as ‘perfect, no disease...lots of fantastic grapes,’ when he visited Decanter in December 2023. Indeed, 2019 is looking superb across the board. Il Marroneto's Brunello di Montalcino 2019 has the most incredible scent; an enticing waft of aromatic cherry and fragrant violets. In the mouth it's supremely precise, with a silky texture and sweet red fruits. Intense, chiselled and sapid, there's a bewitching pureness and delicacy here. Delicious. 97 points, James Button, Decanter

A cascade of bright cherry, rose buds, lavender and cedary spice wafts up from the whimsically perfumed 2019 Brunello di Montalcino. This is surprisingly juicy yet quite complex, with hints of zesty orange and vibrant acidity that add tremendous energy as crisp clove-inflected red fruits drench the senses. It finishes with cheek-puckering tannins, yet they are sweet and round. The 2019 tapers off spicy and fresh, leaving lingering mint, violets and sweet herbal tea notes. Don’t be fooled by its energy and approachability; the 2019 holds a massive amount of power in reserve. This is a spell-binding Brunello from Il Marroneto. 95 points, Eric Guido, Vinous

Lustrous mid ruby. Stunning nose chock-full of minerals with raspberry and a hint of eucalyptus. Elegant and succulent with pure raspberry and super-fine but firm tannins lining the fruit. Great precision. Transparent. 17.5/20, Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com