2019 Giuseppe Rinaldi, Barolo, Tre Tine

Given the tendency of the wines in this vintage to exhibit quite a bit more structure and a coiled nature, I was surprised to find how elegant and silky the 2019 Barolo Tre Tine is. That’s no knock on the wine, however, as it’s stunning all the way through. Light ruby red, it’s spicy and lifted with notes of graphite, spiced strawberries, white pepper, tangerine, and rosewater. Elegant throughout, it offers fine tannins, a weightless feel, and a delicate, refined, and seamless texture, with a light warmth on the finish. Pure all the way through and long and haunting on the finish, it has a finessed touch. Drink 2025-2045.

The 2019 Barolo Tre Tine is elegant and gracious to the core. Lifted, sensual aromatics make a strong first impression. In most vintages the Tre Tine has been a bit more tannic, but the 2019 has a level of refinement that I have not seen in the past. Rose petal, kirsch, lavender, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and orange peel lend striking inner sweetness and perfume. The 2019 is classic in feel, but not at all forbidding or austere. I loved it.

Tre Tine is Rinaldi's blend of Ravera (60%), Le Coste (20%) and Cannubi San Lorenzo (20%), confirmed on the cork. Harvest began in the middle of October with the southern expositions such as Cannubi and Le Coste, and ended with Ravera, a late-ripening southeast-facing site close to the forest. ‘In 2019 we had cool nights and the grapes were properly ripe,’ said Carlotta Rinaldi. Sweet violet dominates the nose, allied to restrained blood orange, wild strawberry and a whiff of funkiness; volatile acidity here is slightly received. The attack is refreshing, with juicy, velvety tannins leading to an elegant finish.

Barolo. Just mid ruby with orange tinges. Fine and lifted on the nose, fresh and finely balanced on the palate. Succulent, long and elegant, with finely chiselled tannins. Sheer class. Already irresistible but deserves more time. (WS)