Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Brunate - Half Bottle, 2017

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

Made from vineyards, over 40 years old, growing in the renowned ‘crus’ of Brunate which straddles to communes of La Morra and Barolo commune. The soil is mainly limestone and clay with some sand. Limestone is thought to help contribute to the firm acidity in the wine and hence it’s ability to age.

It’s made in the traditional historic way, fermented on skins for a month and aged in 5000lt Slovenian botti and the resulting wine has an ethereal complex nose with floral and fruit nots plus a spicy tobacco like character supported by a muscular tannic fresh palate suggesting the potential for lengthy ageing. Best decanted an hour or two ahead and enjoyed with richly flavoured foods.