Il Marroneto
Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie
Brunello di Montalcino
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Sangiovese
ABV
14.5%
Where it is, October 2026
Too Young: holding until the full drinking arc opens in 2028.
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.
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.
Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) drinking timeline
Storage and bottle condition can shift the experience.
The peak window sits inside the broader full drinking arc.
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.
More from Brunello di Montalcino
Frequently Asked
When should I open this wine?
The canonical CAI full drinking arc is 2028-2055. Within that arc, the peak window is 2035-2048. The full arc is the broader period the wine may drink well; the peak window is when it is most likely to show its best balance. Storage, fill level, cork condition, and preference can shift the decision. Taste before adding more air or holding the rest.
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.