Visit to Giuseppe Rinaldi with Marta Rinaldi
Barolo, Piemonte
Tasted July 27, 2016 by HowardNZ with 531 views
Introduction
After the visit yesterday to G Mascarello, today was a visit to a second traditionalist powerhouse: Giuseppe Rinaldi.
On the way in to our appointment with Marta we heard a familiar accent in the winery and met a Kiwi, Tom Meyers, who was working there.
Marta explained that Rinaldi has 6.5 ha under vines and has four Barolo Crus: Brunate (1 ha), Le Coste (0.5 ha), Cannubi (San Lorenzo, very small) and Ravera (3 ha). Rinaldi produces about 38,000 bottles a year, including about 16,000 bottles of Barolo, as well as Nebbiolo Langhe, Barbera and Freisa (about 2,000 bottles).
They produce two Baroli, the Brunate (typically 85% Brunate and 15% Le Coste) and the Tre Tine (a blend of about 60% Ravera, 20% Cannubi and 20% Le Coste).
The wines are made as organically as is possible: using only a little copper and sulphur. The Nebbiolo grapes are fully destemmed and given a long maceration (~ 30 days on skins) in large open topped oak barrels at a natural temperature. Natural yeasts are used. Pumping over is typically two times per day.
Marta said that the aim is to make a clean Barolo (adding only some sulphur).
Only large Slavonian oak casks are used. Rinaldi racks only about 4-5 times in three years, said Marta.
Flight 1 (5 notes)
Red
2015 Giuseppe Rinaldi Dolcetto d'Alba
Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba
Made in stainless steel. A crisp, expressive nose of wild blackberry fruit and fresh herbs. On palate, dark cherry and blackberry. Rounded, seemingly lower acidity. Rich and opulent. Quite powerful for a Dolcetto. I'd imagine you could cellar this wine, but it's ready to go now. A good quality Dolcetto.
Red
2015 Giuseppe Rinaldi Freisa Langhe
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
From 20 year old vines in Ravera, said Marta. Even just on bouquet, there is a greater sense of acidic structure. A breezy bouquet of black cherry and other dark fruit, with a touch of blue fruit, and fresh herbs. That acidity is definitely there on palate, the wine lighter bodied, a little rustic with some crunchy fruit. Angular and slightly wild, with a hint of spritz. I thought it was great!
Red
2014 Giuseppe Rinaldi Nebbiolo Langhe
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Raspberry, red cherry and other red fruit, spices and meadow flowers. Subtle and elegant red fruit on palate. Good acidity. Below medium weight. Not complex, but an enjoyable, straightforward wine for earlier drinking. At least at this tasting, it seemed a lesser wine.
Red
2012 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Tre Tine
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
A blend of 60% Ravera, 20% Cannubi (San Lorenzo) and 20% Le Coste. This is a superb, elegant Barolo. A light ruby colour. A perfumed, floral, complex, beautiful bouquet. A refined and very precise wine on palate. Fresh with lovely acidity. Ethereal and finessed. You could mistake this wine for being delicate but there is some power and tannins (albeit spherical and ultra-fine grained ones) under the surface. Despite this profile, I'd imagine the Tre Tine should really be cellared for 8-10+ years. However, it is a dangerously tempting wine to open in the first year or two, if you have a spare bottle.
Red
2013 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
To be released in April 2017. From the barrel. A darker, deeper colour. A serious bouquet, closed and austere. Dark and a little earthy with a little balsamico. On palate, a satiny texture. Seamless, suave tannins. Dense, weighty black fruit, with serious grip on the back palate. This is what Barolo is all about. A superb, classic Barolo to cellar.
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