Jay Kline

9.5

Rounding out the flight of legendary Barolo estates, Francesco Rinaldi certainly takes its rightful place in the pantheon of Piemonte’s history. By 1970, the estate had been under the leadership of Luciano Rinaldi for nearly three decades. I can’t verify but I believe Luciano was sourcing fruit from Cannubi, Sarmassa and Vignane in Barolo; Codana in Castiglione Falletto; and Rocche dell'Annunziata and Boiolo in La Morra.

This particular bottle was poured into a decanter and allowed to breath for five hours. It was subsequently returned to its bottle a couple hours prior to service and enjoyed alongside the ‘41 Conterno and the ‘61 Cappellano. The 1970 Classico pours a ruddy garnet color with a translucent core and a slightly orange rim; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried Morello cherry, shiso, alpine herbs, cola nut, dried roses, truffle, and dried gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long. Stunning stuff. As expected, this bottle came across noticeably more youthful than the two elder statesmen poured alongside. An outstanding pairing with the agnolotti del plin. If this bottle is representative, there is still quite a bit of life left in this. Drink now with patience and through 2040+. — 8 days ago

Tegan Marriott

9.3

Singing sous bois, curio creation, beacon of Barbera d'alba superiore! — 3 months ago

Mo

9.1

Concur with the WS review below, although I dropped my score one point and would add that the wine presently requires hours of natural aeration—no less than four in the bottle! We tested the use of a Vinturi, which produced unsatisfactory results. Perhaps decanting would take less time. Paired with pistachio crusted rack of lamb.

WS: 92. A fragrant and elegant red, delivering tuberose, strawberry, cherry and grassy aromas and flavors. Taut and balanced, with bright floral and red fruit notes gracing the lingering finish. Best from 2024 through 2038. 375 cases made, 150 cases imported. — 5 months ago

Fabio Franchella

9.3

Wenn es einen nebbiolo wein im burgunder-stil gibt, dann ist es Roberto Voerzio. PS: Sas Assetato in Asti ist eine der besten je erlebten weinbars. Die auswahl, armosphäre im ungeohnten 1.stock und vor allem die komppetenz der inhaberin ist für italien vorbildlich!! — 13 days ago

with Zollinger

Jay Kline

9.5

A continuation of sharing my early impressions of the 2021 vintage in Barolo; Cavallotto is one of those benchmark producers for me, inextricably connected to Bricco Boschis, which they have farmed for nearly 100 years. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2021 Bricco Boschis pours a brilliant garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of Morello cherry, dehydrated orange, cumin, tar, roses, talcum powder, fresh sage and fresh mint, and dried gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with structure like that of Helm’s Deep; the tannins are absolutely rippin’ and acid at medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is extremely long, savory and drying, to the point that you feel it in your gums several minutes. A brilliant Barolo that has a very long life ahead. Drink now with plenty of air and patience through 2071. Pairs well with hearty lasagna and baseball. — 2 months ago

Andrew Liguori

9.1

Aromatics of red fruits, roses, orange peel, mild tar. Complex with cherry, strawberry, leather, spice, tobacco, vanilla. Slightly overly drying tea bag tannins likely from new wood influence. Lovely and long finish with some balsamic towards the end. — 5 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Quite deep garnet , just a hint of ruby and a wide garnet , terracotta rim. Touches of chestnut , dark fruits , earthy liquorice , dry spice and black tea . On the palate this is very classically styled , with dark liquorice tinged blackberry, raspberry , spiced black tea and menthol tinged good long length finish . Balanced acaidity and quite high , grippy tannins. With time this is beginning to show quite well , but will not doubt improve over the next 5 perhaps 10 years and last well a further 10 . Really quite classic and imposing in style , but detailed and complex. — a month ago

Chris MacLean

9.0

Solid quaffer with character — 3 months ago

with Sarah

Michael Dierberg

9.1

Good but surprisingly not great. — 3 months ago

Jason Sliwa

9.2

Well composed, and lovely fruit with great support. Perfect with our burgers! — 7 months ago

with Vicki