TN: More Rinaldi Baroli with Oliver

[David from Switzerland]

Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Barolo Cannubi S. Lorenzo-Ravera 2006
Thanks to Oliver. Full ruby, black hue. More approachable than the Brunate-Le Coste the week before, more fruit-driven (if the term applies for this nicely traditional style) smoother, ultimately less firm and structured, less ageworthy, but beautifully balanced, with fine potential for harmony. Tannic plum and morello with a red-fruity florality the Brunate-Le Coste did not exhibit to the same extent, at least not in terms of balance. Some dried blood orange. Touch of sage. Mild grey pepper. Rabajà-like hay and herbs, as Oliver said. Medium-plus body. Lovely terroir expression, maybe prettier than the Brunate-Le Coste. Fair QPR. Even so, as good as it was, the Sandrone 2004 Cannubi Boschis (from the night before, sat 24 hours in the decanter) put it in its place with its greater concentration and depth, finer, more flavourful and finesseful tannin. Rating: 92+/93(+?)

Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Cannubi S. Lorenzo-Ravera 1996
Thanks to Oliver. Deep garnet-ruby-black, almost opaque at the center. Licorice, mild tar and truffle. Fuller-bodied, more baked plum, thicker and longer than the 1996 Brunate-Le Coste, if less meaty. Tannic and fruity in more equal quantity, a 1996 with both the power and the backbone of the vintage. Admittedly a bit less finely-grained than the 2006, but at least as concentrated and flavourful. Impressive bottle. Rating: 93+?

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
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"J'ai gaché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ Roger Conti

 

[Levi Dalton]

I personally like Luciano Sandrone a great deal. He has a touch of grace and a wistful relaxed manner that I really appreciate, and in fact wish I could emulate. But I have a hard time imagining any one of his wines putting a Beppe Rinaldi offering "in its place".

Different strokes, of course.

 

[David from Switzerland]

originally posted by Levi Dalton:
I personally like Luciano Sandrone a great deal. He has a touch of grace and a wistful relaxed manner that I really appreciate, and in fact wish I could emulate. But I have a hard time imagining any one of his wines putting a Beppe Rinaldi offering "in its place".

Different strokes, of course.

Interestingly, Oliver and I agree that from a purely stylistic point of view, we prefer Rinaldi. But from a qualitative? There's simply no denying that e.g. the tannin quality (depth and potential complexity and finesse of its black-tea-like characteristics) of Rinaldi's wines is much more rustic - which we like, even so, it's more simplistic, and never as finely-grained (which in turn is what many wine lovers don't like about Nebbiolo). Tannin quality, apart from more quantitative aspects such as the relative amount of tannin, acidity and fruit etc. (even if balance as the basis for potential harmony is ultimately a qualitative characteristic), is what keeps the wheat from the chaff. From a QPR perspective, of course, given all these wines are nicely ageworthy, complement food, yet are fascinating enough to be had on their own, it's not a difficult choice.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
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J'ai gaché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ Roger Conti