Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie Brunello di Montalcino 2021

Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie, Brunello of patience

In this Brunello di Montalcino 2021, the Sangiovese expresses itself under the sign of restraint and respect for the place. What holds me here is as much the singular identity of Il Marroneto — born in a former chestnut drying house — as the pursuit of a sincere expression of the terroir, without shortcuts or passing trends.

A Sangiovese from the hills of Montalcino

Il Marroneto is located in Montalcino, in Tuscany, the birthplace of Brunello. The estate's main building was once a chestnut drying house, called a metato, where the fruit dried slowly thanks to the heat of a fire lit on the lower floor. This rural memory gave the cellar its name and today accompanies another local tradition: that of wine. At the head of the estate, Alessandro Mori favors respectful viticulture and minimal intervention. The estate's vineyards cover ten hectares on the northern slope of the commune, in calcareous and sandy soils. The grape variety of this cuvée is Sangiovese, under the DOCG Brunello di Montalcino appellation.

At the cellar, fermentations are spontaneous, without selected yeasts or additives. The production sheet describes sustained extractions, macerations of about ten days and a significant share of whole clusters. The estate's Brunello is aged in large traditional casks of Slavonian oak, always reused, for at least 36 months; the wine is racked every three months to encourage natural clarification. The description of the 2021 vintage also mentions 41 Slavonian oak casks. On the palate, the available information highlights balance, a delicate and slightly sandy texture of tannins, as well as great aromatic finesse. It does not specify the exact color of the robe or any particular aromas: I prefer not to invent them. What can be retained is a profile where the structure of the Brunello seems to seek precision rather than display.

At the table, without rushing the moment

I would serve this wine with a dish that leaves it room: a roast meat, a wild boar stew or an aged pecorino, served without overly powerful sauces. These are suggested pairings to accompany its structure and tannins, not associations indicated by the estate. Open the bottle at the table, give it time to express itself and share it over a meal where you can slow down. If you are looking for a Brunello rooted in the history of Montalcino and shaped by a low-intervention approach, Madonna delle Grazie 2021 deserves a place in your selection.