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+. — 12 days 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

Carter White

9.1

Super dry, orchard and citrus, floral and mineral notes, lively. — 5 months ago

Katya

9.3

Ароматное, на вкус не очень сложное, но Сереже понравилось. Пардон, питкое. — a month ago

Marten Wah

9.4

Very nice magnum of 1999 — 3 months ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.3

Hi everyone! This is lovely (rare descriptor for me). Medium red brick color, medium plus body, medium plus alcohol but subtle. Nice acidity, and tannins make this absolutely drinkable right now-- 8/26/25 my 58th birthday, forgot to give everyone my new Miami address for bottled gifts 😜 . Certainly floral notes on both the nose and palate, but not rose, some cedar overtones, with an enjoyable minerality. It's lovely because it all comes together like a beautiful gift basket (pun not intended) that would impress a royal lady, but stand up proud for a gentleman. It will improve, but you don't have to let it!

93+ points — 4 months ago

Cindy Glennon

9.0

Very drinkable, enjoyed. Total wine $24 — 2 months ago

Tegan Marriott

9.3

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

Monique Gillioen

9.0

Van Gaston gekregen. Heerlijke Nebiolo maar is wrs ook zo’n €40 — 4 months ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Soft, fairly light wine with mild tannins. Lot of cherry, bit of tobacco and licorice; didn’t find it all that fragrant, but it is a good value. Would go with a wide range of foods. — 5 months ago