Brunello di Montalcino Il Marroneto 2018 (750ML)

95 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous: "There’s a radiance to the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino that makes it a total pleasure to taste today, as sweet exotic spices come together with dried black cherries, dusty flowers and hints of clove. This is pure pleasure on the palate, displaying both an opulence offruit, yet also total poise and refinement, as sour berries find an energizing lift from juicy acidity. The 2018 doesn’t miss a beat, tapering off with rounded tannins while lingering on the palate for well up to a minute with an energizing burst of citrus, nuances of sweet rose and licorice. This is already so pretty today, yet it also possesses the balanced structure to mature beautifully, which isn’t found in many Brunello of this vintage. What a darling." 10/22

93 Points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com: "Fresh, red fruit character with cherries and red plum as well as hints of gun powder, coffee beans, spices and dried orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with firm tannins and a supple, velvety core of fruit on the mid-palate. Lingering mineral sensation in the finish. Best after 2024." 11/22

94 Points, Audrey Frick, www.jebdunnuck.com: "The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a deep and youthful ruby hue. It is highly expressive with medicinal herbs, sour black cherry, leather, clove, and burnt orange. Medium to full-bodied, with tangy acidity and ripe yet angular tannins, it has a complex profile, with currant, dried flowers, and dusty saline earth. It is wound up and needs time, but this will be a wine to enjoy over the coming 20 years." 03/23

95 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: "Alessandro Mori's Il Marroneto 2018 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a spicy bouquet with hints of cumin and white pepper that fold seamlessly into bright cherry, blueberry and cassis. The trick to this wine is balance, as no one side pulls stronger than the other. More importantly, this Brunello still has life and vibrant energy despite 39 months of aging in oak casks. Precisely because this bottle tastes so good now, I see little reason to wait further. This 21,470-bottle release is a delight. Alessandro Mori has once again created one of my favorite wines of the vintage, although I would also classify his new releases, including the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie, as more accessible and ready-to-drink overall. His vineyard is in the northern part of the appellation in a cool, hilly spot with sandy soils and marine sediments." 03/23

97 Points, Kerin O'Keefe, www.kerinokeefe.com: "This fragrant, gorgeous red opens with enticing scents of rose hips, new leather and forest berries. Showing the house style of extreme elegance and vibrancy, the focused, racy palate features juicy red cherries, white pepper and dark spices encased in taut, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and energized. Absolutely fantastic." 11/22

95 Points, Michaela Morris, Decanter: "Il Marroneto’s 2018 Brunello personifies elegance, ease and prettiness without being banal or superficial. Harvested from 5 October, there's sweetness to the red berry core that provides a backdrop for cinnamon stick, sarsaparilla and violet accents to parade. Ripe tannins are fine-grained and enveloping as this reaches accessible depths, and appetising acidity begs another sip – but not before the leisurely finish unfolds with spice and raspberry. A seamless symphony that echoes Alessandro Mori’s unhurried, unforced approach to winemaking. As tempting as this is now, a bit more patience will be rewarded." 11/22

96 Points, Luca Gardini, Gardini Notes: "All the richness of Il Marroneto’s raw materials in this flawless version of Brunello. Blueberry jam to the nose, then touches of cinnamon, carob and marjoram. Sapid-spicy tannins to the palate and fruity return on the closure." 09/22