Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2021 · MAGNUM in OWC

Az. Agr. Il Marroneto | Tuscany
Az. Agr. il Marroneto | Loc. Madonna delle Grazie 307 | IT 53024 Montalcino

29442621 · 1,5 l · 192,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available
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When Alessandro Mori and his young family moved into the dilapidated house on the northern walls of Montalcino in 1993, there was only one habitable room. The rest was decay and promise. Today, three decades later, Il Marroneto is a monument to what perseverance and conviction can create. The building itself dates back to the 13th century – a drying house for chestnuts (marroni) that once belonged to the nuns of the small Madonna delle Grazie chapel. Here they prepared bread for weary pilgrims on the Via Francigena. Alessandro still remembers the bells ringing over the vineyards of his childhood.

The basic Brunello from Il Marroneto combines grapes from three different plots of the 8 hectares that stretch down the steep northern slope – 430 metres high, directly in front of the medieval town walls. A north-facing location in Montalcino sounds like a disadvantage, but it is Alessandro Mori's greatest asset. While other producers struggle with the heat, his vines retain freshness and acidity. Vinification follows an almost archaic ritual: spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, temperatures that are allowed to rise to 40°C, intensive extraction in the first 48 hours. Then aged for 42 months in 26-hectolitre Slavonian oak vats. No temperature control, no additives. "It's just grapes and wood," says Mori. Nothing else.

2021 gave Montalcino a vintage of rare clarity: cool nights, perfect ripeness, radiant fruit. Deep, complex ruby red in the glass. The nose is intoxicating: black cherry and cherry stones, dried flowers, liquorice, leather and beguiling violets. Elegance and depth in perfect balance. Medium to full-bodied on the palate with impressive density and concentration. The tannins are silky and of outstanding ripeness, the acidity graceful, the finish super-polished – a hint of liquorice as a final greeting. A Brunello that proves that tradition is not a shackle, but wings. SUPERIORE.DE

"Il Marroneto’s 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is immediately captivating, showing lift and verticality that sets it clearly apart, with bright cherry fruit, grenadine and grilled watermelon underscored by an energetic, punchy edge. There is an appealing sweetness to the aromatics alongside hints of white peppercorn and pressed violet, with lifted tones that flirt with volatility yet remain controlled, carried by remarkably soft and polymerized tannins. The 2021 is distinctly austere and complex, etched with mineral precision and built with multiple layers stacked one atop another, gaining depth rather than breadth." Wine Advocate

"The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with an exotic blend of crushed sour cherries and dried violets complemented by cedar spice box and nuances of incense. It is seamless and silken in feel, displaying notable weight while also coming across as graceful and refined, with a remarkably pretty blend of wild strawberries and a crunch of minerality. A raspberry sauce concentration and sour citrus twang remain as edgy tannins linger, offset by a bump of riveting acidity. This is a fantastic vintage for Il Marroneto's Brunello, here taking on a level of complexity and concentration I usually associate with the Madonna delle Grazie." Vinous

"Without taking anything away from owner Alessandro Mori, it seems that since his son Iacopo joined him in the cellar in 2019, Il Marroneto’s wines have achieved even greater precision. Perhaps it is the result of having another equally meticulous pair of hands. Whatever the reason, this 2021 could be the estate’s best classic Brunello so far – definitely on a par with the Madonna delle Grazie bottling. Perfumes of rose, peony, lavender and lilac unfold from a sweet, earthy backdrop. It floats effortlessly yet with ample depth of dark red cherry and raspberry flavour. Juicy orange rings from the core. Exquisitely refined, suede-like tannins are long and silky, though denser than usual, while piercing minerality prolongs the finish. Drinkability that is delectably within reach." Decanter

"A dark and complex wine with aromas of black cherries, cherry pits, dried flowers, licorice and hints of leather and intoxicating violets. There is elegance as well as depth. Medium- to full-bodied with great density and concentration, sleek tannins of outstanding ripeness, graceful acidity and a super-polished finish. Licorice aftertaste." James Suckling