Brunello di Montalcino · Italy
2019 Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie
From the walled garden beside Montalcino, this single-vineyard 2019 brings the incense-laden purity of a benchmark Brunello vintage - hold at least through 2028.
- Varietal
- Sangiovese
- Region
- Brunello di Montalcino
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Vintage
- 2019
Drinking Window
In 2026: Too YoungHolding. Drinking window opens in 2028.
Right now: In 2026, the Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie 2019 is fully pre-window - the drinking window does not open until 2028, and early opening forecloses aromatic complexity that has not yet integrated from its 40-plus months in Slavonian oak. The tannins remain firmly wound, and secondary notes of tobacco, leather, and truffle are present only as faint suggestions beneath the primary fruit. This wine is approaching the beginning of its integration phase but has not yet entered it. At T8 A8 B7, the structure signals a wine with more than a decade of arc ahead. Cellar confidently through 2028 at minimum and ideally target the early peak window beginning in 2035, when the incense-laden complexity that defines this walled-garden site will begin to fully express itself. Peak drinking runs through 2048 with the hard decline at 2055.
Tasting Note
A deep, vivid garnet with a crimson rim. The nose opens with incense, smoky woodland, and dried dark cherry - aromatic layers that unfold slowly and refuse to rush. Black cherry, graphite, and dried rose follow, threaded through with a balsamic note that speaks to the elevated walled-garden site at 500 meters. On the palate, the structure is formidable: firm, sandy tannins grip with precision rather than force; the acid is electric and persistent. Full body with a T8 A8 B7 profile delivers flavors of tar, black plum, and iron mineral on a finish that extends through a long, savory tail. The Madonna delle Grazie vineyard gives this wine an inherent textural density that separates it from the estate Brunello. This is a wine built for decades of contemplation, not early consumption.
About Il Marroneto
Il Marroneto farms less than two hectares of Sangiovese Grosso within a walled garden adjacent to the medieval walls of Montalcino town. The estate was established in the 1970s and has been guided by winemaker Alessandro Mori since 1999. Mori practices biodynamic farming across both the Madonna vineyard and surrounding estate blocks, harvesting by hand and vinifying in traditional large-format Slavonian oak casks. The approach is explicitly non-interventionist: no new oak, no concentration techniques, no compromise on extended aging time. The Madonna delle Grazie sees a minimum of 40 months in cask before bottling, a commitment that defines the estate and produces a Brunello of uncommon terroir transparency and aromatic definition.
Food Pairings
Bistecca alla Fiorentina
The firm T8 tannin structure needs protein and fat to resolve - the char and marbling of a Florentine T-bone provide the minerality and richness that softens the grip without diminishing it.
Wild boar ragu over pappardelle
The dark cherry and tar profile aligns with gamey depth; the electric A8 acid cuts through the braised fat of cinghiale without overwhelming the dish or the wine.
Aged Pecorino di Pienza
The nutty crystalline sharpness of aged Tuscan Pecorino mirrors the iron-mineral finish and provides textural contrast to the full B7 body of this elevated single-vineyard wine.
Service & Cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 60-63F (16-17C)
- Decanting
- In 2026, decant 3-4 hours minimum if opening early. Better to wait until 2028 when the drinking window opens, then decant 2 hours before serving.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, on its side in a vibration-free environment.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
Frequently Asked
When should I open this wine?
The drinking window opens in 2028 and peak drinking runs from 2035 through 2048. In 2026 this wine is still pre-window - the tannins are firm and the aromatic profile is still integrating from 40-plus months in Slavonian oak. If you must open it now, decant for 3-4 hours and expect primary dark fruit rather than the evolved secondary complexity this wine is capable of.
How long should I decant the Madonna delle Grazie?
Given its firm T8 tannin structure and extended Slavonian oak aging, this wine requires significant air contact: 3-4 hours if opening before 2028, and 2 hours minimum during the peak years from 2035 onward. Opening and pouring immediately will not allow the structure to open and the aromatic profile will remain closed.
What dishes pair best with this single-vineyard Brunello?
Classic Tuscan pairings are ideal: bistecca alla Fiorentina for its fat and char, wild boar ragu for gamey depth, or aged Pecorino di Pienza as a standalone pairing. The high T8 tannin structure needs protein or fat to soften, and the wine mineral backbone complements savory, umami-forward Tuscan flavors.
How should I cellar this bottle for long-term development?
Store at 55F (13C) with 60-70% humidity, on its side in a vibration-free environment away from light. The wine can develop confidently through 2055. Patience is essential - each additional year before 2028 adds integration complexity that cannot be recovered through extended decanting.
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