2020 Brunello di Montalcino

Whereas most wines from Montalcino are elegant, soft and earlier-drinking in 2020, at Il Marroneto, they are classic to the core, which is completely atypical of the vintage. There will be a 2020 Riserva—Il Marronetto's first since 2013, chosen from one very distinct barrel in the cellar. Production will total only 1,000 magnums. The 2020 Brunello and 2020 Madonna delle Grazie are simply spellbinding. Frankly, it's difficult to consider them alongside what I've tasted from the 2020 vintage. They are aromatically stunning and packed full of depth and concentration but also energetic and refined. Iacopo Mori mentioned that the wines are incredibly high in dry extract, yet the acidity holds them together. He went on to explain that due to the lockdown, no airplanes were flying overhead, no cars were driving nearby, and there was very minimal pollution. The team was able to focus all of their energy on the vineyards. Asked about the level of depth they achieved in the wines, Mori went into detail about the harvest. Considering the higher elevations at Il Marronetto and its sandy soils, they were able to wait until after the September rains, when many producers had already picked their fruit, resulting in perfectly ripe tannins. These wines are not to be missed.