Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Langhe Nebbiolo, 2019

STORY BEHIND THIS WINE

The historic Piedmont Francesco Rinaldi & Figli estate dates back over 150 years to 1870 and sprightly nonagenarian Luciana Rinaldi has been at the helm since 1941, aided today by his nieces Paola and Piera. Not surprisingly they are staunch traditionalists in the Barolo and Barbaresco style debate. They allow their Nebbiolo grapes a long maceration before ageing in large Slovenian oak botti, eschewing the trendy use of small French oak barriques. The resulting wines are archetypal examples with great fruit purity, complex aromas, firm tannins and huge ageing potential. Read more.

OUR IMPRESSION

Langhe Nebbiolo is Nebbiolo in what might be called a more approachable ‘Baby Barolo’ style, in that it is less austere than its big brother and can, like this one, come from younger vines within the Barolo area, in this case a recent replanting in the prestigious Cannubi cru. Fermentation on skins is shorter, for 15 days or so not a month and ageing is shorter too. It’s still not for the faint hearted though and best decanted an hour or so before drinking to soften further to enjoy its heady mix of roses, plum and tea like aromas and fresh palate with enough bite to say it needs food, such as grilled meats, lasagne, risotto or sausages.