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.

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.