Brunello di Montalcino 'Le Raunate'

Score

94

"The Mocali 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Le Raunate (with only 6,000 bottles released) is a soft and plush expression with bright cherry, dried forest berry, tilled earth and blue flower. There are subtle aromas of iron ore and candied orange peel as well. Like many of the other wines from this vintage, the mouthfeel is tight and rich, with young tannins that still need to unwind. The compact nature of the mouthfeel will serve the wine well as it continues its bottle evolution."

Score

92

"Pronounced aromas of sandalwood, cloves and chocolate, layered on top of dried fruit and dried mushrooms. Some soy sauce notes. This is a full-bodied red with firm, dusty tannins. Slightly one-dimensional at the finish. Better after 2023."

Score

93

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna delle Raunate from Mocali is the richer, darker and more oak-influenced wine of the portfolio. Crushed black cherries, brown sugar, cedar, sage and a hint of olive tapenade lift up from the glass. It boasts silky, elegant textures, offset by tart red/black berries laced with balsamic spices, as fine-grained tannins mount toward the close. Sour orange citrus and savory herbal tones help to further balance the expression, making for a structured yet fresh finale. In all honesty, I typically prefer the straight Brunello over the Raunate; but in 2016, Mocali created something very special here."

Score

94

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna delle Raunate is an even darker and more powerful or austere expression from Mocali to enjoy with a grilled porterhouse steak. The bouquet is robust and dark with plummy black fruit and earthy tones of spicy leather and tobacco. This is a medium to full-bodied Sangiovese with a loosely knit texture and some fine grain on the tannins. The presentation here embraces dark and oxidative fruit. An ample 60,000 bottles were produced."

Score

91

"A touch of sultanas here, sticking out across overtures of dried meat and chocolate. The palate is full-bodied, chewy and fruit-forward. A little overdone but enjoyable. Drink from 2026."

Score

89+

"Deep red with a pale rim; this is clearly darker in color than the entry Brunello. Offers a savory quality and notes of arugula, blood orange and red berries on the nose and in the mouth. Closes long, clean and fresh but this is currently less well-delineated and focused than the Classic Brunello; try cellaring."

Score

92

"The single-vineyard 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna delle Raunate is a small-production wine with only 3,000 bottles produced. The bouquet is packed tight with black fruit nuances backed by exotic spice, tar, tobacco and even a touch of coarse black pepper. The wine wraps thickly over the palate with fresh acidity and firm texture."

Score

94

"There is a core of sweet, ripe cherry fruit shaded by spice, earth and tar flavors in this dense red, which is rich and vibrant, with a long, tension-filled aftertaste echoing fruit and spice. Best from 2022 through 2037. 120 cases imported."

Score

92

"There's bright fruit here with sour cherry and lemon aromas and flavors. Medium body, fine tannins and a crisp finish. Clean and pretty. Drink now"