PV Tasting Notes
The estates 2006 Madonna delle Grazie, is simply extraordinary, enticing purity, sensual and delicate. Richly textured with seamless layers of fruit, fresh and dried black berries, blueberries, Montmorency cherries, fresh and dried flowers, fresh and dried grapes, impeccably balanced with supreme elegance, it’s like a pedigree foal just finding its feet, beautifully sleek but as yet a little awkward, you know this is going to win trophies. Alessandro Mori is developing a magic touch, his wines show wonderful fruit, but the underlying power is deftly applied via ultra fine and noble tannins. A measure of this wine is how much weight it gained through the day starting out almost coy when first opened and ending the day almost muscle bound. What a future! Buy this where you can, put it away and forget about it for as long as you can, certainly this is one of the finest pure Sangiovese wines I have ever tasted. I would like to drink this wine in 15 years, and again in 50 years, but sadly that’s highly unlikely, don’t think I’ll be around. Tasted Jan 2011
Independent Review92 points The Wine Advocate May 2011
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie is a big, broad-shouldered wine endowed with impressive concentration in its dark red fruit. Floral notes are woven throughout, adding lift and elegance. The oak tannins come through a touch prominently on the finish, adding an element of dryness that is distracting. Otherwise, this is a first-rate effort with a brilliant future. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
2006 Brunello
There really is no question in my mind that 2006 is a great vintage for Sangiovese and especially Brunello di Montalcino, perhaps the greatest ever, we shall have to wait a while to know for sure, but here is an opportunity to get hold of some stunning wines.
Il Maronetto is one of the three estates forming the new genetic map of the “Holy Grail” of Brunello di Montalcino following the scandal of several years ago. Many estates have still not cleaned up their act, and still manage to acquire big ratings for wines which can only be described as dubious in their nature.
These two Brunello wines are classic Sangiovese in every sense of the word, comparable to the finest red burgundies and with the ageing potential to match. Both these 2006’s have such complexity and depth of flavours, yet they are almost shy, very seductive in their beauty.
Both wines are in perfect proportion, with fabulous balance, there is almost a dazzling display of richness and yet both remain totally delicate, I am mesmerised by these wines, we tasted both bottles opened for the whole day, and every time I tasted them I found something new. To my mind there is no doubt, 2006 will be declared as one of the best ever vintages for Brunello di Montalcino. Perhaps even the New Benchmark!
We would suggest matching this with the finest Italian foods, herb stuffed veal wrapped in Prosciutto, venison braised in cherries, saltimbocca alla romana, most Italian sausages, or pork sausages with lots of herbs. Also game birds, Pheasant, Partridge, Grouse or Woodcock and of course many styles of pasta.
The Marroneto farm was purchased in 1974 by Giuseppe Mori, father of current owner Alessandro, as a child Alessandro immediately showed great interest in winemaking, which began in two small rooms, the only ones which were available at the time. Following these small tentative steps, the basement was enlarged, both sons trained to become lawyers, but Alessandro was totally enraptured by the winemaking process and the philosophy behind it, decided to follow his passion and gave up the law to become full time winemaker.
Today ‘Alessandro works in the traditional way, both farming and winemaking biodynamically, treating his wines like spoilt children, giving constant love and care, watching slowing as the wines develop over four years in barrel. Alessandro clearly has a deep passion for Sangiovese, and wants his Brunello’s to express the true fruit with all of its perfumes, delicacy and elegance.
All Il Marroneto wines are created in the traditional way, which leads to wines deep in elegance and rich in aromas. After more than 30 years of winemaking the Il Marroneto estate is considered one of the ten most important and famous historical di Montalcino (Siena).