Brunello di Montalcino DOCG · Italy
2016 Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino
An elegant, high-altitude Brunello of exceptional perfume and fine-grained structure, from one of Montalcino's finest small producers in its greatest recent vintage.
- Varietal
- Sangiovese
- Vintage
- 2016
Drinking Window
In 2026: Approaching PeakDrinkable, but best years are ahead. Peak begins 2028.
Right now: The Le Ragnaie 2016 Brunello di Montalcino has been in its drinking window since 2025 and in May 2026 is showing very well indeed. The wine is in what sommeliers call its first great phase: the tight, grippy tannins of the earliest years have softened into something silky and expressive, and the aromatic complexity that defines great Brunello is now fully on display with an hour of air. The blue flower and rose petal character of the nose opens beautifully, and the cherry-cassis palate is vibrant and focused. Those who cellared through the mandatory release waiting period are being rewarded right now. However, the peak window from 2028 to 2040 suggests that the wine still has significant upside remaining and that those who can wait will experience a fuller, more harmonious expression of this exceptional vintage and vineyard.
Tasting Note
Le Ragnaie's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino pours a clear, vibrant ruby with a garnet-tinged rim and remarkable transparency for a wine of its structural density. The bouquet is lifted and perfumed from the first pour: blue flower and dried rose lead the aromatic charge, followed by pure Sangiovese Grosso cherry, a hint of cassis, cedar shavings, and a characteristic Montalcino stone dust and wet earth minerality that grounds the wine's ethereal top notes. The nose is classic Brunello in the most beautiful sense, elegant and perfumed without sacrificing depth. On the palate, Le Ragnaie's characteristic finesse-over-power approach is evident. The body is full but not massive, with a precisely calibrated midpalate of cherry, strawberry, and dried herb that builds in intensity without ever becoming heavy. Fine-grained, dusty tannins weave through the palate without grip or roughness, supporting rather than dominating the fruit. The finish is long and energetic, with a mineral spine and an herbaceous persistence that speaks directly to the high-altitude terroir of Le Ragnaie's Montosoli-adjacent vineyards in the northern sector of the appellation. This is a Brunello of exceptional elegance and purpose.
About Le Ragnaie
Le Ragnaie, the estate of Richard Baudains on the northeastern slopes of Montalcino near the village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, has emerged as one of Brunello's most respected small producers through rigorous focus on high-altitude viticulture and minimal-intervention winemaking. Baudains farms multiple sites at elevations up to 550 meters, producing Brunello of notable freshness, perfume, and finesse rather than the extracted power that lower-altitude estates in southern Montalcino can achieve. The wines are consistently among the most elegant expressions of the denomination and among the most sought by collectors who prioritize terroir transparency over concentration.
Food Pairings
Bistecca alla Fiorentina with rosemary salt
The classic Tuscan steak pairing is earned here: the beef's iron richness amplifies the Le Ragnaie cherry core, while rosemary echoes the wine's dried herb finish beautifully.
Wild boar pappardelle with Parmigiano Reggiano
The gamey depth of cinghiale and the earthy richness of aged Parmigiano mirror the wet earth and stone dust terroir notes in the Le Ragnaie's mineral finish.
Aged Pecorino di Pienza with truffle honey
The sheep's milk sharpness and truffle honey sweetness provide counterpoint to the wine's vibrant acidity and dusty tannins, creating an elegant post-dinner pairing.
Service & Cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 17-19C / 63-66F
- Decanting
- Decant for one hour in a wide-bowled carafe. The 2016 Le Ragnaie is in its drinking window and opens gracefully with air. Allow the wine to warm to serving temperature gradually after decanting for best aromatic expression.
- Cellar Storage
- 12-14C / 54-57F
Frequently Asked
Is 2016 a great Brunello vintage?
Yes, it is widely considered one of the best in modern Montalcino history, delivering the natural acidity and aromatic precision of the finest classical Brunellos alongside exceptional concentration and structural integrity.
How does Le Ragnaie's style compare to other Brunello producers?
Le Ragnaie is among the most elegant and perfumed expressions of Brunello, emphasizing high-altitude finesse over extracted power. It sits closer to the classical northern Montalcino style than to the richer, more opulent southern sector wines.
Can I open the 2016 Le Ragnaie now?
Yes, it is showing beautifully in 2026 with an hour of decanting. However, the peak window from 2028 to 2040 suggests there is meaningful upside for those who can wait.
What is the elevation of Le Ragnaie's vineyards?
Le Ragnaie farms sites up to approximately 550 meters elevation in the northeastern sector of Montalcino, among the highest in the appellation and a key contributor to the estate's signature freshness and aromatic lift.
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