Francesco Rinaldi e Figli
Barolo Nebbiolo
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Rounding out the flight of legendary Barolo estates, Francesco Rinaldi certainly takes its rightful place in the pantheon of Piemonte’s history. By 1970, the estate had been under the leadership of Luciano Rinaldi for nearly three decades. I can’t verify but I believe Luciano was sourcing fruit from Cannubi, Sarmassa and Vignane in Barolo; Codana in Castiglione Falletto; and Rocche dell'Annunziata and Boiolo in La Morra.
This particular bottle was poured into a decanter and allowed to breath for five hours. It was subsequently returned to its bottle a couple hours prior to service and enjoyed alongside the ‘41 Conterno and the ‘61 Cappellano. The 1970 Classico pours a ruddy garnet color with a translucent core and a slightly orange rim; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried Morello cherry, shiso, alpine herbs, cola nut, dried roses, truffle, and dried gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long. Stunning stuff. As expected, this bottle came across noticeably more youthful than the two elder statesmen poured alongside. An outstanding pairing with the agnolotti del plin. If this bottle is representative, there is still quite a bit of life left in this. Drink now with patience and through 2040+.
Rounding out the flight of legendary Barolo estates, Francesco Rinaldi certainly takes its rightful place in the pantheon of Piemonte’s history. By 1970, the estate had been under the leadership of Luciano Rinaldi for nearly three decades. I can’t verify but I believe Luciano was sourcing fruit from Cannubi, Sarmassa and Vignane in Barolo; Codana in Castiglione Falletto; and Rocche dell'Annunziata and Boiolo in La Morra.
This particular bottle was poured into a decanter and allowed to breath for five hours. It was subsequently returned to its bottle a couple hours prior to service and enjoyed alongside the ‘41 Conterno and the ‘61 Cappellano. The 1970 Classico pours a ruddy garnet color with a translucent core and a slightly orange rim; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried Morello cherry, shiso, alpine herbs, cola nut, dried roses, truffle, and dried gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long. Stunning stuff. As expected, this bottle came across noticeably more youthful than the two elder statesmen poured alongside. An outstanding pairing with the agnolotti del plin. If this bottle is representative, there is still quite a bit of life left in this. Drink now with patience and through 2040+.
Opened fairly easily as you can see by the cork. Needed a few hrs to settled and gulp some air and while it is not the prettiest ‘70 it showed secondary fruit, earth and leather and we really enjoyed it. It soften after 2 hrs and was going strong in the last glass. So fun.
Opened fairly easily as you can see by the cork. Needed a few hrs to settled and gulp some air and while it is not the prettiest ‘70 it showed secondary fruit, earth and leather and we really enjoyed it. It soften after 2 hrs and was going strong in the last glass. So fun.
Jan 20th, 2018
Barely bricked opaque blood. Quite primary nose, but then shows tar, coffee grounds, pomegranate, then boom, a hugely lifted perfume of sweet rose. Gorgeous. The palate is also pretty young, mulberry, tannin, pomegranate seeds. Really needs time, as the finish amply demonstrates. Fine wine.
Barely bricked opaque blood. Quite primary nose, but then shows tar, coffee grounds, pomegranate, then boom, a hugely lifted perfume of sweet rose. Gorgeous. The palate is also pretty young, mulberry, tannin, pomegranate seeds. Really needs time, as the finish amply demonstrates. Fine wine.
Dec 16th, 2015
