The 2016 Barolo Brunate is a tightly wound wine with striking inner perfume, sweetness and energy. Deep, dense and powerful, the 2016 exudes a sense of classical austerity that will thrill Rinaldi lovers. I remember tasting it during bottling and thinking that Beppe Rinaldi would be so very proud of his daughters for making this wine, a Barolo that so vividly captures the heart and soul of what these wines are all about. The 2016 is going to need a number of years to come into its own, but it holds immense promise.

This is an evolution of Giuseppe’s Rinaldi’s Brunate Le Coste bottling. While the percentage of Brunate has increased to 85% to adhere to Barolo’s regulations on cru-designated wines, it still sees 15% from Le Coste. The latter lends some levity and brightness to Brunate’s deeper, more brooding bass tones. At the moment, earth, mushroom and tobacco dominate underlying red cherry. Tannins are silky in texture yet compact and commanding, and refreshing acidity races across the palate. Not an easy-going or obvious wine, this demands a few years of cellaring but has everything in place for a beautifully harmonious development. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2042
Tasted by: Michaela Morris (at Vancouver, 09 Nov 2020)
Part of Best Italian wines: A selection of the greatest

Both elegant in profile and intense, this red features cherry, strawberry, iron, tobacco and wild herb flavors. Compact and balanced, with vibrant tension and a light dusting of tannins on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2039. 600 cases made, BS

La Morra. Tasted blind. Just mid ruby. Fresh, energetic cherry fruit nose with a malty hint. Still compact and embryonic on the palate. Fantastic tannins to chew on and deep dark fruit on the finish without becoming heavy. Firm style.
Tasted Aug 2020 - Walter Speller