Il Marroneto

Bright red. Enticing aromas of sour cherry, aromatic herbal spice and violets are lifted by a tangy minerality. On the palate, fresh, pure flavors of sour cherry, currant and minerals - paired with an invigorating acid wire- delight. Finishing friendly and long, Ignaccio is wonderfully personable with its floral and mineral notes. A Rosso that skilfully plays off its exposure with freshness, elegance and minerality, making it (not just for us) undisputedly one of the best in its denomination. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Ignaccio is flat-out delicious with a woodland and almost-autumnal profile. Wild strawberries, blueberries, lavender and sage mix with hints of cinnamon and flowery undergrowth. It’s silky-smooth, almost velvety in feel yet perfectly balanced and full of life, displaying ripe wild berry fruit and inner violet florals. There’s enough structure here to carry the 2018 for a number of years in the cellar, but who can keep their hands off of it today? Alessandro Mori selects his Rosso from the same barrels he uses to make Brunello, yet after only a year of aging." Vinous

"Fiercely traditional and a consistently good craftsman of wine, Alessandro Mori is becoming one of Montalcino's top producers for its globally recognised cru, 'Madonna delle Grazie'. His Rosso, Ignaccio is no less detail-oriented. This wine is usually made from declassified estate Brunello, grown on the northern side of the village where it is cooler, and situated on some of the oldest limestone soil in Montalcino. This 2018 is an intoxicating Rosso with purity of fresh raspberry, yellow gentian and star anise. There is cherry fruit in depth, with great savouriness over the palate. The tannins are firm and chalky - typical of Sangiovese from cooler areas - without any bitterness, while the acidity pushes the fruit to an outstanding orange peel finish." Decanter

Bright red. Enticing aromas of sour cherry, aromatic herbal spice and violets are loosened up by a tangy minerality. On the palate, fresh, pure flavours of sour cherry, redcurrant and minerals - paired with an invigorating acid wire- delight. On the finish, Ignaccio is friendly and long and is wonderfully likeable with its floral and mineral notes. A Rosso that skilfully plays off its exposure with freshness, elegance and minerality and is thus (not only for us) undisputedly one of the best of its denomination. SUPERIORE.DE

"Radiant ruby red with brightening rim. Fragrant and barrel-spicy nose, of precious wood, wild berries, ripe cherries and a hint of malt coffee. On the palate juicy and with clear, present fruit, fleshy texture, accessible and balanced." Falstaff

"The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Ignaccio is delicate yet deep and perfumed, with a hauntingly beautiful bouquet of rose hips, lavender and raspberries laced with nuances of sweet spice. There’s remarkable purity within, lifted and wonderfully refined, as juicy acidity further enlivens its vivid notes of ripe strawberry and plum. Just a hint of fine tannin lingers, allowing nuances of clove and licorice to echo on. This lively and fresh Rosso will win a lot of hearts. Frankly, it’s hard to put the glass down." Vinous

"The Il Marroneto 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Ignaccio shows a sweet cherry note that is characteristic of the vintage, along with subtle concentration that is a characteristic of the growing season. The results are bright and vertical, and the wine shows directness and a good amount of power on the bouquet. It finishes on a very polished and silky note." Robert Parker

Beautifully mature and intense, but never exaggerated or too heavy, the Brunello of Il Marroneto present themselves. In fact, the 2014 edition is also almost on tiptoe with our senses and convinces with delicate tones of rose petals, wild berries, white cherries, balsamic herbs and sweet almonds. The main message of this wine is elegance, and this specimen is an archetype on this parquet floor, abundantly difficult in the 2014 vintage. The mouthfeel is firm, silky and persistent. Delicate mineral notes lend precision and definition to the long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Starts with seductive raspberry-leather aroma; robust in the mouth, hearty tannins, good acidity, full of melt and length. Convinces with its powerful-elegant cut." Vinum

"Healthy medium dark red. Musky nuances to the aromas of redcurrant, herbs, violet and earth. Fresh and pliant on the palate, with a touch of sweetness and sneaky complexity to its red plum, redcurrant and soil flavors. Finishes with sweet but firm tannins and outstanding length." Vinous

"Proprietor Alessandro Mori compares the 2014 vintage to 1989: another slender year which evolved slowly to eventually reveal intensely floral aromas. For the 2014, he made five separate passages in order to harvest grapes at their optimal ripeness. He didn't produce a separate Madonna delle Grazie bottling this time around. The resulting wine opens up gradually to reveal plum and cherry blossoms, rosehip, anise and forest berries. The palate is mineral-driven and lifted by tangy acidity. This wine demonstrates substantial power relative to many of its peers yet retains the elegance of the vintage. Very Brunello-esque." Decanter

"One of the few ageworthy wines of the vintage, this radiant red boasts enticing scents of chopped mint, wild berry, tilled soil and pipe tobacco. It's linear, alluring and ethereally elegant, delivering juicy strawberry, red cherry, thyme and white pepper framed in taut refined tannins and racy acidity. It's still youthfully austere but loaded with finesse and a crystalline purity. Give it time to fully develop." (Cellar Selection) Wine Enthusiast

Silky, open and graceful, it captivates with outstanding elegance and the finesse typical of Montalcino's northern sector. Rose petals, sweet red berries and graceful, minty notes grace the palate in a sensual, silky Brunello that exudes its class and pedigree from the very first sip. The traditional Marroneto style with fine-grained tannin and subtle saltiness contrasts excitingly with the classic structure and extract sweetness. Great wine! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, medium-dense ruby red. Opens with emphatic spicy notes, of thyme and cardamom, then lots of juicy sour cherry. Present fruit on the palate with juicy fruit." Falstaff

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with vibrancy and spunk, showing woodland berries and herbs with crushed wet stone and undergrowth in an incredibly fresh and lively expression. It’s soft and pliant upon entry, enveloping with its saturating raspberry fruits and inner spice, as mineral tension builds, giving way to sweet, elegant tannins and inner florals. The 2017 shows a more slender yet well-muscled interpretation of the 2017 vintage, but it remains remarkably pretty and balanced throughout." Vinous

"Just north of Montalcino, sitting at over 400 metres, Il Marroneto’s vineyards benefit from cooling north breezes. Proprietor Alessandro Mori maintains a generous canopy to protect the grapes from hail and, above all, sunburn. With a lightness of structure yet concentration of flavour, this is beautifully midweight in presentation. Lifted fragrances of wild broom and mandarin are countered by earthier ash and roasted chestnut nuances. There's a sweet/sour sensation to the red cherry palate, and fine, powdery tannins impart a distinguishing tactile, layered texture. A finale of gingerbread lends further intrigue." Decanter

"Alessandro Mori's Il Marroneto 2017 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a very distinguished and unique character that makes this wine easy to recognize in a lineup of Brunello. This hot and dry growing season made for more powerful aromas and sometimes riper flavors in the appellation, generally speaking. But this magically lean-bodied wine follows its own path, and the warmth of the summer seems to have cemented almost exotic aromas of bay leaf, crushed flower, campfire ash and iron ore. The wine is exceedingly silky and elegant, but instead of opulence, you get streamlined tension accompanied by lifted, immediate aromas of fruit, flowers and light spice." Robert Parker

Silky, open and graceful, it captivates with outstanding elegance and the finesse typical of Montalcino's northern sector. Rose petals, sweet red berries and graceful, minty notes grace the palate in a sensual, silky Brunello that exudes its class and pedigree from the very first sip. The traditional Marroneto style with fine-grained tannin and subtle saltiness contrasts excitingly with the classic structure and extract sweetness. Great wine! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, medium-dense ruby red. Opens with emphatic spicy notes, of thyme and cardamom, then lots of juicy sour cherry. Present fruit on the palate with juicy fruit." Falstaff

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with vibrancy and spunk, showing woodland berries and herbs with crushed wet stone and undergrowth in an incredibly fresh and lively expression. It’s soft and pliant upon entry, enveloping with its saturating raspberry fruits and inner spice, as mineral tension builds, giving way to sweet, elegant tannins and inner florals. The 2017 shows a more slender yet well-muscled interpretation of the 2017 vintage, but it remains remarkably pretty and balanced throughout." Vinous

"Just north of Montalcino, sitting at over 400 metres, Il Marroneto’s vineyards benefit from cooling north breezes. Proprietor Alessandro Mori maintains a generous canopy to protect the grapes from hail and, above all, sunburn. With a lightness of structure yet concentration of flavour, this is beautifully midweight in presentation. Lifted fragrances of wild broom and mandarin are countered by earthier ash and roasted chestnut nuances. There's a sweet/sour sensation to the red cherry palate, and fine, powdery tannins impart a distinguishing tactile, layered texture. A finale of gingerbread lends further intrigue." Decanter

"Alessandro Mori's Il Marroneto 2017 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a very distinguished and unique character that makes this wine easy to recognize in a lineup of Brunello. This hot and dry growing season made for more powerful aromas and sometimes riper flavors in the appellation, generally speaking. But this magically lean-bodied wine follows its own path, and the warmth of the summer seems to have cemented almost exotic aromas of bay leaf, crushed flower, campfire ash and iron ore. The wine is exceedingly silky and elegant, but instead of opulence, you get streamlined tension accompanied by lifted, immediate aromas of fruit, flowers and light spice." Robert Parker

As always, Madonna delle Grazie presents itself in a highly aristocratic manner, with a radiance and perfection that is unparalleled. When this wine enters the glass, there is simply silence in the room. After a few minutes of aeration, its bouquet exudes probably the purest and most purist form of Sangiovese, combined with numerous hints of grenadine, cassis, jasmine and a mysterious, exotic note. Perfectly structured on the palate, everything is in its place and you can almost taste that the grape material was perfect and hand-picked. With each sip, it becomes more complete and, in addition, reveals - wonderfully fine and subtly layered - ever new taste experiences that will continue to increase in smoothness and complexity as the wine matures in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby garnet. Fragrant and inviting nose, full of raspberries, blackberries and fresh plums, very clear. Also shows rich fruit on the palate, lots of raspberry and dark cherry, then opens with dense, grippy tannin, spicy and salty in the finish." Falstaff

"This single-vineyard selection is breathtakingly enticing. Autumnal in persona, it conveys wet leaves, smoke and very subtle spice as aromas float from the glass. You feel the warmth in the dried violet and baked brick notes but otherwise it is fresh cherries and red currants that fill the mouth. As elegantly structured as it is eloquent, long lean tannins stretch across the palate of this enigmatically seductive Brunello, finishing with a touch of paprika." Decanter

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie lights up the senses from the very first moment. Its aromatics alone are worth the price of entry; an exotic, spicy bouquet blends lavender, blood orange and tart raspberries with mentholated herbs, smoke and crushed stone. The textures are unbelievably soft, like liquid velvet, enveloping with mineral-tinged ripe cherries and sweet, sweet spice. This is so pretty and expressive, yet also juicy and fresh. Fine tannins mount, though they are only noticeable through the finale, where saline-minerals mix with sour citrus and autumnal spice in an expression that just goes on and on. The 2017 transcends the vintage, and while it may not possess the power typical of Madonna delle Grazie, it instead communicates its undeniable beauty and grace. I tasted the 2017 both in Montalcino, at the winery, and in our office, where it only got better over the three days I followed it. It's a total classic." Vinous

"This is one of the icon wines of the appellation. The Il Marroneto 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie shows an elegantly streamlined appearance with shiny ruby highlights. This warm-vintage expression does not have the same vertical lift that we saw in the glorious 2016 edition, but that wine sets the bar very high (and it earned a 100-point score). This vintage is perhaps shapelier and more saturated with rose, wild cherry, peat moss and blood orange. The house style embraces extreme finesse, and you get that here. Alessandro Mori has also expertly managed the tannins, with results that appear silky and almost glossy. Thanks to elevation and soils, this cool growing site north of Montalcino village performs very nicely in the hot vintages such as this." Robert Parker

As always, Madonna delle Grazie presents itself in the highest aristocratic manner, yet with a radiance and perfection that is unparalleled. When this wine enters the glass, there is simply silence in the room. After a few minutes of aeration, its bouquet exudes probably the purest and most purist form of Sangiovese, combined with numerous hints of grenadine, cassis, jasmine and a mysterious, exotic note. Perfectly structured on the palate, everything is in its place and you can almost taste that the grape material was perfect and hand-picked. With each sip, it becomes more complete and, in addition, reveals - wonderfully fine and subtly layered - ever new taste experiences that will continue to increase in smoothness and complexity as the wine matures in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby garnet. Fragrant and inviting nose, full of raspberries, blackberries and fresh plums, very clear. Also shows rich fruit on the palate, lots of raspberry and dark cherry, then opens with dense, grippy tannin, spicy and salty in the finish." Falstaff

"This single-vineyard selection is breathtakingly enticing. Autumnal in persona, it conveys wet leaves, smoke and very subtle spice as aromas float from the glass. You feel the warmth in the dried violet and baked brick notes but otherwise it is fresh cherries and red currants that fill the mouth. As elegantly structured as it is eloquent, long lean tannins stretch across the palate of this enigmatically seductive Brunello, finishing with a touch of paprika." Decanter

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie lights up the senses from the very first moment. Its aromatics alone are worth the price of entry; an exotic, spicy bouquet blends lavender, blood orange and tart raspberries with mentholated herbs, smoke and crushed stone. The textures are unbelievably soft, like liquid velvet, enveloping with mineral-tinged ripe cherries and sweet, sweet spice. This is so pretty and expressive, yet also juicy and fresh. Fine tannins mount, though they are only noticeable through the finale, where saline-minerals mix with sour citrus and autumnal spice in an expression that just goes on and on. The 2017 transcends the vintage, and while it may not possess the power typical of Madonna delle Grazie, it instead communicates its undeniable beauty and grace. I tasted the 2017 both in Montalcino, at the winery, and in our office, where it only got better over the three days I followed it. It's a total classic." Vinous

"This is one of the icon wines of the appellation. The Il Marroneto 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie shows an elegantly streamlined appearance with shiny ruby highlights. This warm-vintage expression does not have the same vertical lift that we saw in the glorious 2016 edition, but that wine sets the bar very high (and it earned a 100-point score). This vintage is perhaps shapelier and more saturated with rose, wild cherry, peat moss and blood orange. The house style embraces extreme finesse, and you get that here. Alessandro Mori has also expertly managed the tannins, with results that appear silky and almost glossy. Thanks to elevation and soils, this cool growing site north of Montalcino village performs very nicely in the hot vintages such as this." Robert Parker

As always, Madonna delle Grazie presents itself in a highly aristocratic manner, with a radiance and perfection that is unparalleled. When this wine enters the glass, there is simply silence in the room. After a few minutes of aeration, its bouquet exudes probably the purest and most purist form of Sangiovese, combined with numerous hints of grenadine, cassis, jasmine and a mysterious, exotic note. Perfectly structured on the palate, everything is in its place and you can almost taste that the grape material was perfect and hand-picked. With each sip, it becomes more complete and, in addition, reveals - wonderfully fine and subtly layered - ever new taste experiences that will continue to increase in smoothness and complexity as the wine matures in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby garnet. Fragrant and inviting nose, full of raspberries, blackberries and fresh plums, very clear. Also shows rich fruit on the palate, lots of raspberry and dark cherry, then opens with dense, grippy tannin, spicy and salty in the finish." Falstaff

"This single-vineyard selection is breathtakingly enticing. Autumnal in persona, it conveys wet leaves, smoke and very subtle spice as aromas float from the glass. You feel the warmth in the dried violet and baked brick notes but otherwise it is fresh cherries and red currants that fill the mouth. As elegantly structured as it is eloquent, long lean tannins stretch across the palate of this enigmatically seductive Brunello, finishing with a touch of paprika." Decanter

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie lights up the senses from the very first moment. Its aromatics alone are worth the price of entry; an exotic, spicy bouquet blends lavender, blood orange and tart raspberries with mentholated herbs, smoke and crushed stone. The textures are unbelievably soft, like liquid velvet, enveloping with mineral-tinged ripe cherries and sweet, sweet spice. This is so pretty and expressive, yet also juicy and fresh. Fine tannins mount, though they are only noticeable through the finale, where saline-minerals mix with sour citrus and autumnal spice in an expression that just goes on and on. The 2017 transcends the vintage, and while it may not possess the power typical of Madonna delle Grazie, it instead communicates its undeniable beauty and grace. I tasted the 2017 both in Montalcino, at the winery, and in our office, where it only got better over the three days I followed it. It's a total classic." Vinous

"This is one of the icon wines of the appellation. The Il Marroneto 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie shows an elegantly streamlined appearance with shiny ruby highlights. This warm-vintage expression does not have the same vertical lift that we saw in the glorious 2016 edition, but that wine sets the bar very high (and it earned a 100-point score). This vintage is perhaps shapelier and more saturated with rose, wild cherry, peat moss and blood orange. The house style embraces extreme finesse, and you get that here. Alessandro Mori has also expertly managed the tannins, with results that appear silky and almost glossy. Thanks to elevation and soils, this cool growing site north of Montalcino village performs very nicely in the hot vintages such as this." Robert Parker