2019 Francesco Rinaldi Barolo "Cannubi", Piedmont - 750ml

95 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

Francesco Rinaldi is firmly rooted in the traditional school of Barolo, and Cannubi gives the estate one of the appellation’s most historic and distinguished sites from which to work. The 2019 combines Cannubi’s celebrated fragrance and finesse with the structure of a classical vintage, resulting in a Barolo that is elegant in profile but still decidedly youthful.

Blend: 100% Nebbiolo.

Tasting Notes: Red cherry and wild strawberry lead into rose, violet and orange peel, with mint, cedar, licorice and subtle tar adding savory complexity. The palate is focused and energetic, with vivid red fruit, floral lift and mineral detail carried through a long, increasingly complex finish.

Structure: Medium to full-bodied, with bright acidity and tightly knit, fine-grained tannins giving the wine considerable backbone. Traditional maturation in large Slavonian oak preserves Nebbiolo’s aromatic character and Cannubi’s finesse rather than imposing overt oak flavor.

Drink Window: 2027–2040. The 2019 remains youthful and structured; it can be approached now with substantial aeration, but another few years should bring greater integration and aromatic complexity. Kerin O’Keefe similarly places the wine’s window at 2027–2039.

Decanting: If opening now, decant for approximately 90 minutes to two hours and follow its development in the glass. Serve around 60–64°F in a generous Nebbiolo or Burgundy-style glass to emphasize its fragrance and finesse.

For collectors drawn to traditional Barolo, the combination of Francesco Rinaldi, Cannubi and the structured 2019 vintage is particularly compelling. This is a bottle with genuine cellar potential, but its floral perfume and increasingly expressive red fruit make it rewarding with sufficient air today, especially alongside braised beef, tajarin with truffles, mushrooms, game or aged Piedmontese cheeses.