Mocali Brunello di Montalcino Vigna delle Raunate 2018

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Raunate grumbles up from the glass with an earthy mix of dusty dried flowers, black cherries and crushed rocks. This is seamlessly silky and elegant on the palate, impressing with its polished mix of ripe red fruits and sweet herbs that slowly give way to a collection of gritty tannins toward the close. Nuances of exotic citrus mingle with salty minerals, as the Raunate finishes structured yet unexpectedly fresh and with medium length. Tasted next to the house Brunello, the single-vineyard Le Raunate comes across as darker and more powerful, but not necessarily better. That said, cellaring will be required.

The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Le Raunate is richer, with more melding baked fruits of black cherry pie, sweet balsamic, pressed flowers, leather, and dark mineral earth. It is fleshy and full-bodied, with rich, ripe tannins and a long-lasting fruit profile. Though it has a somewhat imposing structure, it is a wonderful effort for the style. Drink 2025-2040.

Packs a mix of ripe cherry, plum, rose hip, wild thyme, earth and menthol flavors aligned to a dense, brawny structure. Balanced in a rustic way, with fine length. Think grilled steak with this bad boy. Best from 2026 through 2045.

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Le Raunate (with 6,000 bottles released) shows more fiber and textural richness next to the very dry Brunello annata. This wine also has more fruit, albeit on the dark side with baked plum and blackcurrant. It reveals solid structure and more phenolic richness too, thanks to the warm growing conditions. It ages in casks for two years followed by one year in tonneaux. Production is 6,000 bottles. I'd go with a 10-year drinking window at most.