Il Marroneto - Brunello di Montalcino 2006 (750ml)
Price: $199.99
| Producer | Il Marroneto |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Subregion | Brunello di Montalcino |
| Varietal | Sangiovese |
| Vintage | 2006 |
| Sku | 8367 |
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Il Marroneto is a small, eight-hectare estate on the north side of Montalcino, just outside of the town. It was founded in 1974 by Giuseppe Mori who fell in love with the estate when he first visited from nearby Siena. In that period, there were only a couple dozen producers in Montalcino, while today there are over 200! Since the beginning, they have been a staunchly traditional producer. Traditional both in the sense that they use large oak botti, but also in the sense that their philosophy and techniques have been passed down inter-generationally, from Giuseppe to his son, Alessandro, and in turn, to Alessandro’s son, Iacopo, who has recently begun working closely with his father in the running of the estate.
Il Marroneto Description
In the beginning, Alessandro was assisted by two famous winemaking consultants, Mario Cortevesio and Giulio Gambelli (who had ties to Montevertine, Castell’in Villa, Montenidoli, and others). Starting in 1990, Alessandro felt he was ready and capable to move forward on his own, without consultants, though still, as he says, “with much to learn from his vineyards.” In addition to fermenting and aging in large, neutral oak, Il Maronneto makes the unconventional decision for wines of this caliber to not only use free-run juice but to also use press wine, not even just first but second press wine too, in both his Brunello di Montalcino annata as well as his single-vineyard bottling, “Madonna delle Grazie.”
They have always worked with complete respect for the health of the vineyards. “Every single aspect in the vineyard must be given utmost attention as those details cannot be corrected in the cellar.” Attention to detail, both in the vineyard as well as in the cellar, has always been the highest priority for the family, though they have never felt the need for any certification for their vineyard practices.
Wine Advocate: 94 Points
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino offers up freshly cut flowers, black cherries, minerals, new leather and menthol in a polished, totally vibrant style that is highly appealing. Over time, the wine’s inner sweetness emerges, hinting at what is in store over the coming years. Still quite firm, the estate’s Brunello will need a few years in the cellar. It will appeal most to readers who like firm, ageworthy wines. This finish impresses for its focus and overall purity. Smoke, underbrush, tar and a host of other aromas and flavors add complexity on the finish.
James Suckling: 91 Points
Plenty of dried flowers, with plums and ripe strawberries on the nose. Full body, with chewy tannins and lots of vanilla. It turns a little dry but should come out right with three to four years of bottle age.
Vinous: 91 Points
Good full medium red. Red berries, rose petal, lavender and a whiff of gingerbread on the nose. Juicy, sweet and savory, with lovely intensity and grip. Harmonious acidity energizes the mid-palate and gives definition and cut to the wine's dark berry and spice flavors. Not a silky style but penetrating, firmly tannic, long and built to age.
Wine Spectator: 90 Points
There's a beam of cherry in this tightly constructed red that quickly gets lost in the dusty, even astringent tannins. Fresh and elegant, just on the dry side, finishing long with mineral and tobacco.
Wine Enthusiast: 90 Points
This classic Brunello is slightly more closed aromatically and subdued at first, but opens to deep layers of berry fruit and exotic spice as the wine stays in the glass. Elegant flavors of almond and cassis appear as pretty accents on the long fade.
