Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 97
I very much want my guests to experience the joy of an epic, traditionally made Barolo. What could be better than Beppe Rinaldi s 2008 Barolo Brunate/Le Coste? An exotic bouquet of lavender, violets and rose petals lifts from the glass. The wine is utterly mesmerizing from the very first taste. Over the last few months, the 2008 has begun to shut down a little, but not enough to detract from its extraordinary beauty. Vivid and totally alive in the glass, the 2008 Barolo Brunate/Le Coste is simply dazzling. Mission accomplished.
Stephen Tanzer 94-97
Good medium red. Sexy, almost decadent aromas of sappy raspberry, marzipan, spices and soil; liqueur-like in a way that reminded me of an Henri Bonneau wine. Wonderfully rich, deep, creamy and mouthfilling; this hits the palate and immediately goes horizontal like a storm front breaking out over a wide area. Finishes extremely long, with substantial tannins buffered by the wine’s extraordinary material. A throwback Barolo with buns of steel.
Wine Advocate 96
Endless layers of dark, balsamic-infused fruit emerge from the 2008 Barolo Brunate-Le Coste. Tar, licorice spices and plums develop in the glass. Where the Cannubi/S. Lorenzo is seductive, the Brunate-Le Coste is all about power. Virile and imposing, the 2008 is likely to require another decade to start showing its true personality, but the truth is, it is already highly appealing. Violets, menthol, tar and rose petals are just some of the many notes that burst from this super-classic Barolo. The 2008 Brunate-Le Coste is another dazzling wine from Beppe Rinaldi and his daughter Marta. It is easily among the very best wines of the year. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2038. I remember the first time I visited Giuseppe Rinaldi, about ten years ago. Buying the wines was no problem, even going back a few vintages. Today, the world has caught on and the wines seem to literally evaporate from the market. Barolo lovers recognize this small family-run estate embodies all of the qualities of the traditional school in Barolo. One of the developments of the last few years is that the Barolo Cannubi/S. Lorenzo-Ravera is much closer in quality to the Brunate-Le Coste, although in terms of their personalities, the wines remain naturally quite different. Other than that, not that much has changed. The most modern addition to the cellar is a telephone – rotary, of course. Rinaldi’s 2008s are just as beautiful from bottle as they were when I tasted them from barrel last fall. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2038
JancisRobinson.com 17.0
Barolo. Youthful-looking mid ruby. Ripe cherry fruit with a bold tannic structure and well balanced. Multilayered finish with lots of extract. Muscular. (WS)
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2032
