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Giuseppe Rinaldi
Wine Market Bistro - Baltimore
Tasted November 1, 2013 by KingSlacker999 with 588 views
Introduction
Tom M organized an a group of 8 to taste some older Giuseppe Rinaldi wines at Wine Market Bistro in Baltimore.
The wines were paired loosely with 5 courses of food.
#1 - Roasted & Shaved Berkshire Pork, Fall Fruit, Arugula, Aged Balrsamic
#2 - Saffron Parmesan Risotto
#3 - Icelandic Cod, Local Arugula, Gnocchi, Carrot Puree, 12yr Aged Serrano Ham
#4 - Beef Cheeks, Polenta, Wild Mushrooms, Shaved White Truffle
#5 - Ricotta Beignets, Espresso Hot Chocolate and La Tur Cheese w/ Figs
Wines 1985 and older were decanted to remove sediment and re-corked before arrival at the restaurant.
Wines 1988 and younger were decanted for 2.5 hours each and the re-corked before arrival at the restaurant.
Flight 1 (2 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée
90 points
This was a bottle which has rested a while since release and was therefore a bit more subdued. The yeastiness was still dark, but not as dark as younger releases.
Returned to this after dinner was completed and it was even better and more fully integrated.
Returned to this after dinner was completed and it was even better and more fully integrated.
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Ruinart Champagne Brut Rosé
92 points
Wonderful, crisp acidity, tart cherry, cranberry, a bit light (in a good way). Wonderfully balanced rose.
Flight 2 (2 notes)
Red
1999 Giuseppe Rinaldi Nebbiolo Langhe
91 points
At first blush one might thing this was barolo. Nice quintessential Piedmonte nose of strawberry, tar, roses and balsamico. Finish was where it was given away to not be barolo. Gained some weight with air in the glass.
Red
2001 Giuseppe Rinaldi Nebbiolo Langhe
88 points
More subdued than the 1999, more tar, more floral than fruit on the nose. Rather perfumy. Added some weight with air, but still not as good as the 1999.
Flight 3 (3 notes)
Red
1956 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo
94 points
The nose is subtle fruit and balsamico. No reason to be disappointed though as the palate is amazingly balanced with fully resolved tannins and the perfect amount of fruit and acid. In one word, WOW, this is what well aged barolo is supposed to taste like, pure enjoyment.
Red
1962 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo
flawed
Sadly flawed, corked, VA? Wasn't terribly so, but something was not right.
Red
1967 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo
88 points
Nose was muted, mostly sour cherry, balsamico and some fish sauce. Palate was better though than the nose, well balanced and decent finish.
Flight 4 (2 notes)
Red
1985 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo
89 points
Some thought this bottle was over the hill. I rather enjoyed it. It was lighter in appearance than the other wines. Nose was muted, balsamico, red fruit and some coffee that appeared over time. Nicely balanced and easy drinking.
Red
1988 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo
91 points
First impression on the nose is very strong perfume. The fruit is red, obvious strawberry, tar and some roses. The palate was round and plusher than expected by the nose. A very interesting wine. Over time, some plum fruit emerged. Nice balance, length and acid too.
Flight 5 (2 notes)
Red
1989 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo
95 points
Now we have moved to the big leagues. All the typical Piedmonte characteristics seen in the previous wines are dialed up in this one. Deep, mostly red, but some dark fruit, floral, perfume, tar, spices on the nose, just intoxicating. The palate did not disappoint either, round, plush, deep, polished tannins that are not yet completely resolved but in now way offensive. Wonderful, lingering finish. Just a plain lovely wine.
Red
1990 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Riserva Brunate
92 points
Probably would have liked this wine far more if it wasn't paired with the 1989. Clearly the lesser wine on this night, but also as clearly a very similar wine, just not as flamboyant and powerful. The same red and dark fruit, as well as some floral and perfume notes were on the nose. Well balanced and not a wine to be scoffed at, just not on the same plane with the 1989.
Flight 6 (3 notes)
Red
1993 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste
90 points
Nose of slight balsamico, perfume and red fruit. At first taste the wine is a bit brusque, but over time it opened up and was must more enjoyable. A bit shorter finish than some of its counterparts and slightly more tart, specifically in the tart cherry notes on the palate.
Red
1997 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste
91 points
The fruit on the nose is much darker than red. Good balance and acidity with a rather lengthy finish. Over time some plum notes emerged. Seemingly unaffected by shortness of some 1997 barolo.
Red
1998 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste
90 points
Sweet dark fruit on the nose, nuanced by red fruit notes as well. Good balance and once again not noticeably affected by the heat of the vintage. Nice balance and good finish.
Flight 7 (2 notes)
White - Sweet/Dessert
1994 Zind-Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Sélection de Grains Nobles
96 points
Deep, dark, sweet, viscous, wonderful. Excellent. Nose has so many components, tea, camomile, apricot, orange, orange peel, peach, honey and probably some I missed. Could be too sweet for some, but not me. Great long finish with just enough acidity to keep from being cloying.
White - Off-dry
1979 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel #14
95 points
This is exactly why aged riesling is so great. The sweetness and acid are in perfect balance. Nose is honey, white flowers, orange. The palate dances in a way that heavier wines just can not achieve.
Closing
The most obvious thing about the wines is the obvious, almost linear, similarities of the wines from 1956 all the way through to 1998. There were some vintage characteristics that could be noted, but in general it was clear that the wines were closely related.