Il Marroneto

Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie

Brunello di Montalcino

2019

Vintage

Varietal

Sangiovese

ABV

14.5%

Peak 2035-2048

Where it is, June 2026

Too Young: holding.

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.

Related vintages

The ‘19 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.

Drinking window

The arcYou are here · too young, 2026

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. The 2019 vintage adds brightness and aromatic complexity to that density. This is a wine built for decades of contemplation, not early consumption.

The 2019 vintage

The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino vintage earned a Wine Spectator Classic rating of 98, placing it among the most successful in the past decade for the zone. A warm, dry spring established the phenolic foundation for a structured growing season. The critical months of August and September brought a cooling shift, with diurnal temperature swings exceeding 20 degrees Fahrenheit slowing final ripening and preserving the bright acid that defines the vintage character. Harvest arrived in late September and early October under dry conditions, enabling careful berry selection. Wine Spectator characterized the 2019 as precise, structured, and built for exceptional long-term aging.

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.

From the cellar: pair with

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.

Track this bottle Read the Brunello di Montalcino guide

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.