The magic of the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna della Grazie is firmly on display as it slowly opens like a cedar spice box of treasures, with incense, cloves, dried herbs, cherries and mint. It’s velvety-smooth, lifted by vibrant acidity, with a potent wave of ripe wild berry fruits energized by tantalizing acidity. The 2016 holds its power in reserve, currently kept in check by a wall of dusty tannins and a bitter tinge of sour cherry. What a darling. Bury your bottles deep. This is pure magic. The 2016 is flirting with perfection and may one day deserve a 100-point score.
– By Eric Guido on November 2023
Alessandro Mori of Il Marroneto has gone from strength to strength from vintage to vintage. Not only did 2016 and 2019 reach great heights, but Mori was able to cull magic from the difficult 2017 and 2018 vintages. The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino Ignaccio is a racy and refined wine that provides both immediate satisfaction and balance for the cellar. The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino Selezione Iacopo, a selection made by Mori’s son from his Brunello barrels, is once again a gorgeous interpretation of house style and place. This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, boasting the Rosso name while overdelivering in every way. As for the 2019 Brunello, the most difficult thing will be to keep our hands off of it long enough to give it the time it needs to mature. Very much in Il Marroneto style, this wine is already showing beautifully with vividly ripe fruits and sweet spices, all on a framework of pure elegance. For all of its upfront appeal, waiting is absolutely recommended. The 2019 Madonna delle Grazie remains a wine of meditation, yet with an energy about it that is seldom seen. I’ve tasted this from cask multiple times and bottle in Italy and the United States. The last bottle was left open for two days and only got better. The only thing that surpassed it was the 2016 that I revisited recently, a wine that flirts with perfection.
