Il Marroneto Brunello Madonna delle Grazie 2015

#33 of Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2020

The northern zone of Montalcino is characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and cool temperatures. These conditions are idea for creating Brunellos of significant ageing potential, showing complexity, increased aromatics, classic tannic structure and nervy acidity. Madonna delle Grazie displays elaborate florality interplayed with aromas of earth underfoot. Bright cherry, leathery-tones, and pulsating acidity offer the backbeat to the complex perfumes. Expect a precise and pure example of Sangiovese.

Wine Spectator: 93
Balsamic aromas and flavors of juniper, pine and wild thyme dominate the cherry and berry fruit for now, but this red displays a lightness and freshness that offsets the rugged tannins. Ends with an iron streak. Best from 2023 through 2042.

Wine Advocate: 98
The Il Marroneto 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie creeps up on you slowly. Give this wine ample time to open and put on weight and volume. Or better yet, just stick the bottle in your cellar for a few more years. Fruit comes from a 1.6-hectare parcel at 420 meters above sea level. This site, located just below the Madonna delle Grazie chapel, has sandy mineral-rich soils. This wine is very different from the Alessandro Mori's classic Brunello. Here, you get that beautiful purity in the bouquet, but you also get a different mouthfeel that is characterized by more structure and a firmer set of tannins. However, the overall integration is superior here considering that this wine is richer and has more material and overall density. Cherry, grenadine and cassis are followed by jasmine and even a touch of exotic fruit. As the wine opens, you catch a hint of mesquite or hickory smoke. Some 7,040 bottles were made. This wine was bottled in June 2019, and it hit the market in January 2020

Wine Advocate: 98

The Il Marroneto 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie creeps up on you slowly. Give this wine ample time to open and put on weight and volume. Or better yet, just stick the bottle in your cellar for a few more years. Fruit comes from a 1.6-hectare parcel at 420 meters above sea level. This site, located just below the Madonna delle Grazie chapel, has sandy mineral-rich soils. This wine is very different from the Alessandro Mori's classic Brunello. Here, you get that beautiful purity in the bouquet, but you also get a different mouthfeel that is characterized by more structure and a firmer set of tannins. However, the overall integration is superior here considering that this wine is richer and has more material and overall density. Cherry, grenadine and cassis are followed by jasmine and even a touch of exotic fruit. As the wine opens, you catch a hint of mesquite or hickory smoke. Some 7,040 bottles were made. This wine was bottled in June 2019, and it hit the market in January 2020

Decanter: 95
The warm, highly-rated 2015 vintage has produced an intense, structured and vibrant Madonna delle Grazie, with an elevated, balsamic nose, juicy acidity and youthful fruits. Chestnut, tobacco and floral overtones emerge on the long finish.

Wine Enthusiast: 100
Violet, iris, warm spice, new leather, earth and wild berry are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this tantalizingly fragrant, gorgeous red. Linear and elegant, the radiant palate shows youthful tension, boasting red cherry, pomegranate, star anise, baking spice and orange zest framed in tightly wound, polished tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2025–2040.

Vinous: 97
Pale vivid red. Aromas and flavors of red berries, sour red cherry, rose and violet, with hints of licorice and blood orange. Then details of sour red currants and matcha tea linger nicely on the impressive finish. Another very good Madonna delle Grazie, but very similar to the regular Brunello; in 2015, the difference in quality between the two is really minimal, though this will age better and longer.

Vinous: 97

Pale vivid red. Aromas and flavors of red berries, sour red cherry, rose and violet, with hints of licorice and blood orange. Then details of sour red currants and matcha tea linger nicely on the impressive finish. Another very good Madonna delle Grazie, but very similar to the regular Brunello; in 2015, the difference in quality between the two is really minimal, though this will age better and longer.