Il Marroneto Madonna dekke Grazue Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie Brunello di Montalcino 2018 is a single-vineyard 100% Sangiovese from Montalcino DOCG, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml format. This limited-production wine earned 99 points from Kerin O'Keefe, 98 points from Jeb Dunnuck, and 98 points from The Wine Independent — placing the 2018 vintage among the most critically acclaimed Brunello releases in recent memory.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, Italy  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Producer: Il Marroneto

Production & Heritage

Il Marroneto is a small estate on the northern slope of Montalcino, owned by the Mori family. The Madonna delle Grazie bottling takes its name from the chapel that overlooks the vineyard at approximately 420 meters above sea level, where mainly sandy, mineral-rich soils shape a distinctive expression of Sangiovese. Fruit is sourced exclusively from a selection of small, loose bunches; fermentation takes place in Allier oak vats over 20 to 22 days, followed by 41 months of aging in large 25-quintal oak barrels. Production is limited to roughly 8,500 bottles per vintage, making this one of Montalcino's more scarce single-vineyard wines.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated incense and lavender oil before revealing layers of blackberry, rose, and fine tobacco. A deeper pass uncovers chestnut, forest undergrowth, and a musky hint of sweet smoke.

Taste: The entry is plush, with fleshy black cherry and ripe raspberry filling the mid-palate. Baking spice, black tea, and savory herbal tones develop progressively, supported by long, suede-like tannins that frame the fruit without overwhelming it. The structure is imposing yet remarkably polished.

Finish: Exceptionally long, with lingering notes of dark fruit, leather, and orange peel fading slowly into mineral-laced warmth. The tannins remain silky through the close, leaving a persistent savory impression.

How to Drink Madonna delle Grazie 2018

Serve at 16–18°C in a large-bowled glass after decanting for at least an hour; this wine rewards patience as its layered aromatics continue to evolve over several hours. It is best enjoyed neat to appreciate the full spectrum of its complexity and structure — no cocktail application is appropriate for a wine of this caliber.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector a near-perfect-scoring vintage
• Anchoring a special-occasion dinner featuring Tuscan or game-based cuisine
• Adding a critically acclaimed single-vineyard Brunello to a cellar for further aging
• Hosting a comparative Brunello tasting alongside other top-tier 2018s

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Madonna delle Grazie 2018 taste like? It delivers concentrated black cherry and raspberry layered with incense, leather, baking spice, and black tea, carried by long suede-like tannins and a mineral-driven finish.

How does Madonna delle Grazie compare to Il Marroneto's classic Brunello? The Madonna delle Grazie is a single-vineyard selection from a specific high-altitude plot with sandy, mineral-rich soil, resulting in greater concentration and complexity than the estate's standard Brunello di Montalcino. Its extended 41-month barrel aging and limited 8,500-bottle production further distinguish it as the estate's flagship wine.

Is Madonna delle Grazie 2018 good for cellaring? With its firm tannic structure, high acidity, and 99-point critical acclaim, the 2018 is built for long-term aging and should continue to develop favorably for at least 15 to 20 years from vintage.

Where is Madonna delle Grazie made? It is produced by the Il Marroneto estate in the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG zone of Tuscany, Italy, from a vineyard situated at 420 meters elevation on the northern boundary of Montalcino.

What foods pair well with Madonna delle Grazie 2018? Bistecca alla fiorentina highlights the wine's tannic grip; slow-braised wild boar ragù mirrors its earthy depth; aged Pecorino di Pienza complements its savory spice; roasted lamb with rosemary echoes its herbal aromatics; and porcini mushroom risotto bridges its forest-floor undertones.

What sizes does Madonna delle Grazie come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Madonna delle Grazie 2018 worth the price? Positioned as a premium single-vineyard Brunello with extremely limited production and near-perfect critical scores from multiple reviewers, the 2018 vintage represents strong value relative to other elite Montalcino bottlings scoring at this level.

Why Madonna delle Grazie 2018?

Scoring 99 points from Kerin O'Keefe and 98 from both Jeb Dunnuck and The Wine Independent, the 2018 Madonna delle Grazie stands as one of the highest-rated Brunello di Montalcino wines of the vintage. Its origin from a single high-altitude vineyard with sandy, mineral-rich soil gives it a site-specific character that no blended Brunello can replicate. With only 8,500 bottles produced and 41 months of large-oak aging behind it, this is a wine built for collectors who value rarity backed by substance. In the exceptional 2018 vintage across Montalcino, few bottlings have received this level of unanimous critical praise.