2016 Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie Brunello di Montalcino

Other Reviews....
There it is: that Il Marroneto magic. To my palate, Alessandro Mori's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie best captures the soaring spirit and ambition of Brunello, made in its purest and most naked form. This vintage is a twin sibling to the 2010 that I awarded a perfect score. Whereas that wine surprised me, appearing with so much unexpected radiance and brilliance, this wine won me over in a more careful, less emotional and more contemplative manner. Having now tasted the 2010 vintage multiple times, I better know what to expect in terms of the near-term aging evolution of the 2016. I know that the laser-sharp purity of the fruit will soften, leading to more nuanced and finessed tones of underbrush, lilac, iron ore and candied orange peel over the next five years. This wine unfolds to show deep complexity up front with buoyant and jovial red fruit at its core. It vibrates with electric energy and charm.
100 points
Monica Larner - Wine Advocate (Dec 2020)

This dazzling wine is for Sangiovese purists and fans of extreme finesse. Opening with tantalizing aromas of rose, violet, berry, tilled earth and new leather, it's youthfully intense but already a classic. Focused, structured and radiant, the chiseled palate delivers cherry, raspberry, licorice and crushed mint before a tobacco close. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity keep it perfectly balanced.
100 points
Kerin O’Keefe – Wine Enthusiast

Simply put, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie is spellbinding. It’s wonderfully primary and intense. You could lose yourself in this vivid display of crushed ripe berries with sweet mint and zests of orange peel, dusted in confectioners’ and autumnal spice. It soothes with its velvety textures, coating all that it touches in masses of dark red fruit, liquid violet florals, notes of lavender and sage. Currently, the 2016 is youthfully dense yet so complex, almost salty and savory at times, while nearly enveloping its fine tannic structure right up until the end. This is a classic in the making and one of the most complete young Brunellos I’ve ever tasted. This bottle was revisited over the course of two days and only got better with each taste.
99 points
Eric Guido - Vinous

Trying Il Marroneto’s various lots from cask is a fascinating exercise. They are all similarly located at high altitude, on coarse sand of marine origin and predominantly north facing. While they demonstrate subtle differences, Madonna delle Grazie’s distinct character often merits a separate bottling - as evidenced by the 2016. Aromas take on the darkest, most heady purple flowers tangled up in allspice and smoky incense. It is muscular in frame with firm tannins that stick and grip and don't let go, although it's never brawny, heavy or hard-edged. Currently a mouthful of stones, it reveals a balsamic core and tangy salted plum on the finish.
98 points
Michaela Morris - Decanter